RallyNorth.net

Central fends of scrappy Knights

Sunday, December, 23 By Hector Longo
Staff writer

Tradition, tourney experience, talent, it's not a bad skill-set to fall back on when your world is disintegrating around you.

The top team in Eastern Mass., Central Catholic, saw a first-round blowout win nearly evaporate in the second half, barely surviving a wild rally from gritty North Andover and prevailing, 63-49.

The Knights, who trailed by 21 early in the second half, got as close as three at 51-48 with 3:34 left, before the Raiders went to that well one last time.

"We've been in games like this before," said junior marksman Billy Marsden, who led all scorers with 25. "We were struggling but just relied on our experience."

Marsden hit four straight free throws, sandwiched around a Carson Desrosiers putback that gave the Raiders a little breathing room.

As gallant as the undersized Scarlet Knights were, they simply couldn't answer the flurry.

"We had the will, the effort was awesome, now we need to have that composure down the stretch," said Mike McVeigh, whose team fell to 2-2 on the year. "Give Central credit, down the stretch, they did what they had to do."

North Andover, which beat Ipswich in overtime on Friday night, got a monster effort from it's returning Eagle-Tribune All-Star backcourt of Steve Boudreau and Sean McManus.

The duo combined for 31 points, and big man Hayden Yeazel, who challenged the 6-foot-9 Desrosiers all night long, hit four jumpers in the second half rally to help strike fear in the still unbeaten Raiders.

"North Andover wanted it more than we did at times in the second half," said Raider coach Rick Nault. "That's hard for me to say, because we take pride in how hard we play the game, but they deserve the credit."

Central, which was without injured Eagle-Tribune All-Star Adrian Gonzalez and two other players due to a suspension, spent most of the night working the offense in to Desrosiers, who tossed in a dozen points despite the Knights constantly collapsing on him.

Point guard Wilfredo Pagan added 12 points as well. "We've got a lot of guys stepping it up with Adrian out," said Marsden.