RallyNorth.net

BOSTON | Central Catholic star guard Billy Marsden grinned widely at the mention of teammate KB Oshodi.

"I love that kid," said the junior. "All he does is bring high energy and intensity to the team whether it's a game or practice. He can shoot and he's athletic. He's just the best."

BOSTON — Picking the most enduring image from last night is impossible.

Is it Adrian Gonzalez soaring in to grab a rebound? Is it KB Oshodi closing in on a BC High guard like a free safety? Is it Billy Marsden sticking a long jumper?

Not that the Central Catholic boys are bullies, it's just so infrequently that they get a chance to pick on someone their own size.

Tonight at 7:45, the Raiders, champions of Division 1 North at 23-2, get the opportunity to do just that when they step on the famed parquet floor at the TD Banknorth Garden and face off with South champ Boston College High (21-3).

LOWELL | KB Oshodi couldn't believe what he saw.

Before Central Catholic took the court at Tsongas Arena last night, Big Shot Billy Marsden was sweating bullets.

"Before the game, he told me he was nervous, but I don't think that's true," Oshodi said. "When he hits the court, he just has a different mindset."

LOWELL | An epic disaster was brewing for Central Catholic before more than 5,500 fans in the Division 1 North final here at Tsongas Arena.

The Raiders, who were outscored 14-0 in a nearly seven-minute span from late in the third until 6:16 of the fourth quarter, simply wouldn't let it happen.

The high points for Wilfredo Pagan are numerous:

• Eight points and 10 assists in the Greater Lawrence Christmas Tourney title win over Lawrence.

• A sparkling floor effort in the revenge win over Lowell.

Right now, the Charlestown High basketball braintrust is probably second-guessing its push to move last night's Division 1 North boys semifinal with Central Catholic out of Lawrence.

For the second straight year, the Raiders embraced Reading High like it was home, stunning the sectional's top seed, in this case the now 23-2 Townies, 74-63 in overtime to earn their sixth sectional final in the last eight years.

LAWRENCE — The Central Catholic boys faced their first postseason crisis, sloughing it off with ease in an 86-57 thumping of outclassed Malden before a packed house of 1,400 at Memorial Gym last night.

What was Adrian Gonzalez worried about?

He had it all the time. Literally.

Even though Gonzalez and Central Catholic thought he needed 16 points for 1,000 in his career, he really only needed a dozen in the Raiders' tourney-opening win over Acton-Boxboro last night.

Let the real season begin.

Central Catholic put the finishing touches on an impressive 19-2 regular-season campaign, dusting St. John's Prep in a 75-56 state tourney tune-up before about 1,000 fans last night at Memorial Gym.