RallyNorth.net

Central wallops Windham in Commonwealth Classic opener

Sunday, December, 27 By Michael Muldoon

NORTH ANDOVER — Rick Nault cringed as an overexuberant Central Catholic reserve took down hard a Windham player who thought he had a last-minute breakaway.
The Commonwealth Christmas Classic quarterfinal game was well, well out of hand (79-30) so Nault gave his guy a "what the heck were you thinking?" chat.
But it exemplified a mindset that could pay dividends later in the year.
And a few minutes earlier in the game, three Raiders swarmed the floor for a loose ball.
"We've done a good job building this program on effort," said Nault, whose club improved to 3-1 with the 79-33 romp.
Sophomore guard Tanahj Pettway made the most of his limited minutes, giving the Jaguars (2-1) fits with his quick hands and silky-smooth drives.
He finished with 17 points and 5 steals. The Central stats had the Raiders forcing 18 turnovers (it seemed like a lot more).
"We did a good job getting in the passing lanes for easy lay-ups," said Nault. "Our goal was to make it fast paced. It started with Tanahj. He dictated the tempo."
Behind 9 Pettway points, it was 20-8 after one quarter and at one point was 36-8. It was a rude welcome for the Jaguars, who were making their debut in the Christmas Tourney. It was the fourth most lopsided win in the tourney's 41-year history.
Some of the Raider reserves showed they could play key roles before all is said and done. Dennis Quinn, a 6-4 junior, scored his first varsity points. Thirteen of them to be exact.
"We saw some good things from Dennis on offense," noted Nault.
Jeremy Urena flashed some impressive athleticism and finished with 10 points.
Senior captain Cole Gill led the Jaguars with 12 points.
The Jags, who have by far the smallest enrollment in the tourney, have never been afraid to take on the best. In the past they've played Brockton, which has one of the biggest enrollments on the East Coast.