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Desrosiers proves himself against the best

Tuesday, March, 11 By Michael Muldoon
Sports editor

BOSTON | There are 6-foot-9 players and then there are legitimate 6-foot-9 players.

Central Catholic's Carson Desrosiers is legitimate in every sense of the word.

He's not one of these 6-7 guys who is listed as 6-9 to dupe the college recruiters. As a ballplayer, he proved any doubters last night that he's legit.

As the towering sophomore has learned, it can be a cold world for a young giant.

When he has a monster game, which these days is becoming the norm, some ignorantly scoff it's solely due to his size.

"It just proves it doesn't matter what size the opponent is,'' he insisted after last night's 54-44 Division 1 state semifinal win over defending state champion BC High. "Some people doubt me. 'I could do that if I were your size.' There were two 6-8 kids and I showed what I could do."

One was Boston University recruit Jake O'Brien, arguably the best big man in the state. Desrosiers limited BC High's go-to guy to nine points, far shy of his 16.0 points-a-game average.

"I tried to prepare myself mentally," explained Desrosiers, who comes from Windham, N.H. "He's a Division 1 scholarship player. That's what I'm striving for."

That's a fairly safe bet. Providence and URI are already showing plenty of interest in Desrosiers who, in addition to being already at this young age unquestionably the greatest shotblocker in area history, has 3-point range.

"Who is Desrosiers?" said BC High coach Bill Loughnane, tongue planted firmly in cheek.

"He played terrific. He's an inside presence who has the mobility to play on the perimeter. He made some terrific blocks."

Six altogether, including one well above the rim on a two-handed dunk try by O'Brien that had the crowd buzzing.

Most people would die to block six shots in a game. Not Desrosiers, who uses his size, superb basketball smarts and uncanny timing more than leaping ability to swat shots at will. He had a career-high 18 blocks in the overtime tourney win over vaunted Charlestown, with its collection of skywalkers.

Desrosiers also had 10 rebounds, but he was limited to four points, which is well off his 12.5-point average. But his job yesterday was to defend, defend, defend. And that's exactly what he did.

His father, Andrew, a middle school principal in Windham, is only 6-1, but his mother, Debi, is 6-2. While dad was cut all four years at Central Catholic, Carson's uncle, Gil Desrosiers, was a star at Lawrence High, earning Greater Lawrence Christmas Tourney All-Star honors in 1977.

His feet haven't grown in the last year | that might not be the worst news, he takes a size 18! | so Desrosiers doesn't expect to grow more than another inch.

Unlike some skyscrapers, he's comfortable in his skin.

"I like it," he said. "I like when people look at you."

Fawning recruiters, admiring fans and totally intimidated opponents will be looking at him with envy the next two-plus years.

Additional stories:

• Power surge: Central heats up late, wins EMass. title
• Animated Oshodi energizes Central
• A defensive dissection of the defending champs