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St. John's dethrones Central

LAWRENCE — It didn't take a Superman-like performance out of Pat Connaughton, some crazy hoop miracle, wildly unfortunate breaks or even bad calls.

St. John's Prep just played a little role-reversal to end defending state champion Central Catholic's run of five straight sectional final appearances with a 63-60 victory last night before a packed house of about 3,000 at Lawrence High last night.

"They won the effort war. They won the hustle battle, and that was the difference tonight," said Raider coach Rick Nault, just minutes after Jimmy Zenevitch's 27-footer to tie from the top caromed off the back rim at the buzzer.

"We gave them too many second chance opportunities, and when a team is that good, that well-coached, you just can't do that."

Zenevitch, a man among boys all night long in the paint with 33 points and 15 rebounds, had a decent look after Central's set play with 16.3 seconds left broke down, but on line, he was just a fraction long.

"Same play we ran against Andover, set screen for Luis, nothing was there, set a screen for Jaycob, and nothing was there," said Zenevitch."I just stepped out and took the shot and just back-rimmed it. I hit that shot fooling around all the time. It's one of those shots you love to take in your backyard. It just didn't go in."

The final flurry capped a frenetic fourth quarter which saw Central rally from a 12-point deficit in the final eight minutes.

As was the case in Sunday's upset of top-seeded Charlestown, freshman Tyler Nelson ignited the comeback with a three with just over six minutes to play.

Zenevitch spun on the post for two, then sacrificed his body with a dive to the floor and lead pass to Evan Sheehan for a breakaway layin.

The frosh Nelson tightened things up with a pair of free throws at 57-56, but the Raiders would never pull even or lead.

Unsung Freddy Shove provided the absolute back-breaker in the final minute, scooping up a loose offensive rebound and pumping it home with 55 second left, making it 63-59 Prep.

Zenevitch made one of two at the line on the ensuing trip, and the Raiders got their chance at a tie, forcing a Prep turnover with 16 seconds left, but just couldn't capitalize.

The defending state champs finish at 21-3, with a pair of losses to St. John's. The Prep will take in tonight's other semifinal between Lawrence and Lynn English (7 p.m.) at Reading to see who will face the Eagles Friday night at the TD Garden for the sectional title.

Balance, Central's ally against the Townies, simply never materialized last night.

Everyone in red but Zenevitch, who was 14 of 22, struggled to find the range. Luis Puello was the lne other Raider in double figures with 11.