High-flying Central dunks BG
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Wednesday, December, 27
By Michael Muldoon
METHUEN — Central Catholic won in the barbershop and on the court in opening-round action in the 43rd annual Commonwealth Motors Christmas Classic.
Returning Eagle-Tribune Super Teamer Colin Bradanese, who went bleach blonde for the tourney, pumped in 26 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and threw down two dunks while Bret Edwards, wearing a bit of a Samurai Warrior look, added 16 points and a dunk.
They were the two big stars as the top-seeded Raiders (2-0) dealt No. 8 Bishop Guertin of Nashua a 73-45 loss Wednesday.
“We didn’t really play well,” said Bradanese, who had 17 first-half points and played little in the final quarter.
“It took awhile. It was a little disappointing.”
The 6-5, 205-pound senior from Billerica likes to vary his offensive game.
He said, “I try to get inside first. That opens up the outside game. I’ve evolved into a wing player.”
The slams are always fun.
“I got accustomed to it in AAU,” he said. “It gets everyone riled up.”
The next one to join the Raider Rim-Rocker Club could be junior guard Kevin Constant. He scored 10 points and blocked three shots. One he pinned against the backboard, which is more rare than a dunk.
It was a bit of a strange game as BG shot 31 free throws (making 19) while making just 12 field goals. Central went to the line just 14 times.
The Cardinals, who are coached by former state champion Pelham coach Matt Regan, got a strong effort from Yanis Nyantenji (15 points).
Central has a state champion coach of its own in John Walsh, who has big footsteps to follow in Dick Licare (a record 13 Christmas Tourney titles) and then Rick Nault (tied for second with 7 Christmas titles).
While this job obviously comes with sky-high expectations, Walsh, 37, knows a thing or two about winning. He won three state titles in six years at Danvers High.
“I’m just trying to continue the tradition,” said Walsh, who is now 2-0 at Central heading into Friday’s semifinal game with Methuen (7:45 p.m. tip).
“Pressure? Not really. When you’ve done it long enough ... kids are kids.”
Game Statistics:
Commonwealth Classic (Day 1)
Bishop Guertin (45): Tommy Fontanella 2 5-8 9, Yannis Nyantenji 5 5-7 15, Andre Laplante 0 0-0 0, Kyle Fisher 1 1-2 3, John Begley 1 0-1 2, Andrew Lussier 0 3-5 3, Joe Noon 0 0-0 0, Davis Camacho 1 2-2 5, Austin Hiscoe 1 0-0 3, Darrel Yepdo 0 2-2 2, Joseph DaSilva 0 1-2 1. Totals 12 19-31 45
Central Catholic (73): George Smith 2 0-0 4, Kevin Constant 4 2-2 10, Bret Edwards 5 3-5 16, Jonathan Peguero 0 0-0 0, Dom Keegan 1 0-0 3, Jose Lara 1 0-0 2, Matt Downer 1 0-0 3, Cam Homsey 1 0-0 2, Colin Bradanese 12 2-5 26, Andy Kalala 0 0-0 0, Jalen Aquino 0 0-0 0, Almando Marienz 2 2-2 4, Godin 1 0-0 3. Totals 29 9-14 73
3-pointers: BG: Camacho, Hiscoe; Central: Edwards 3, Keegan, Downer, Godin
