RallyNorth.net

Central Catholic Raiders Girls Basketball '18-'19

Tue, Mar 12, 2019 05:30 PM @ Central Catholic
Team 1 2 3 4 Final
Braintree 6 5 6 22 39
Central Catholic 5 8 13 12 38

Braintree rallies from 13 down late to stun Central at Garden

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Tuesday, March, 12 By Kyle Gaudette

BOSTON — The heart of a champion is often an impossible hurdle to overcome. 

The Central Catholic girls basketball team learned that in heartbreaking fashion Tuesday night.

With 3:33 left in the Division 1 state semifinal against defending champ Braintree — the Patriots, so to speak, of Mass. girls basketball — Central led 37-24 and was in full control.

Up to that point, the Raiders had been near-flawless defensively in a classic rock fight of a game, where each made basket felt like it was worth a touchdown.

But, as the Atlanta Falcons learned in Super Bowl LI, the Patriots — Braintree — dynasty won’t die until every clock in the arena hits triple zeros.

And in front of about 5,000 fans at the TD Garden, Braintree completed the miraculous comeback when a Lily Adams bucket put the Wamps on top 39-38 with 26.3 seconds left.

After a steal and a missed free throw, Central had the ball with 9.6 seconds left. Kaylee Thomas drove into the lane and collided with a Braintree defender, so she’d be headed to the line? That’s what Central fans thought but the ref signaled for a charge with about two seconds on the clock.

The Raiders actually stole the in-bounds pass, but their last-secondturnaround jumper banked off the backboard and fell to the TD Garden parquet as the Wamps stormed the court in celebration.

“I mean it’s Braintree,” said Central Catholic coach Casey Grange. “You could be up by 45 and they could still come back on us.”

It wasn’t quite 45, but the Raiders certainly were starting to taste victory. With how well they were playing, it looked like a state title berth was there for the taking.

A win would have meant sweet, sweet revenge for last year’s 65-41 loss to the Wamps in the very same game at the very same arena.

But Braintree (21-4) just refused to die, scoring 22 points in the fourth quarter after just 17 combined during the first three.

Ariana Fay scored all nine of her points during the comeback for the Wamps, draining three 3s. The last one cut it to a 37-36 Central lead with 1:49 left. After a free throw tied the game, Central’s Emily Downer grabbed her 10th rebound, got fouled and made a free throw to make it 38-37 with 1:12 left.

Both teams then traded possessions before Adams converted the tough lay-up to put the Wamps up for good.

“They executed at the end of the game and we didn’t,” said Grange.

Execution certainly played a roll, but every Braintree shot during that final 3:33 seemed to fall after most had clanked off the back iron during the first 3.5 quarters. While everything went right for the Wamps down the stretch, it doesn’t take away how well the Raiders played.

Led by the Merrimack recruit Thomas (11 points), the Raiders (20-5) led 13-11 at halftime and 26-17 after three quarters. Sophomore Adriana Niles scored all eight of her points in the third, and Downer was strong all night with 9 points with her 10 boards.

Central went toe-to-toe with the champs all night, and landed punches and jabs that sent the Wamps stumbling. But the Raiders never could land the final haymaker, and the heart of a champion is a powerful weapon.

Thomas finished her fabulous run averaging 18.6 points per game during the playoffs.

“It’s almost like she’s irreplaceable,” said Grange. “She has carried herself so well, and as good of a player as she is she’s a better person and a great leader. And I think she stepped up huge and has developed significantly since her freshman year.”

It was still an undefeated season in the MVC for Central, as well as the program’s second straight Division 1 North title. After losing two Eagle-Tribune All-Stars a year ago, to make it back to the TD Garden says loads about what this year’s group was able to accomplish.

“They persevered through so much and have come together as a group,” said Grange. “There’s a lot to be proud of. Right now it’s really difficult to think about because it stings so bad.

“But when it’s all said and done, we’ll look back and hold our heads up high.”

Braintree 39, Central Catholic 38

Division 1 State Semifinal

BRAINTREE (39): Adriana Timberlake 3 1-2 9, Barbara Ronca 0 1-2 1, Ariana Fay 3 0-0 9, Lily Adams 2 1-2 5, Jeniyah Jones 4 2-7 10, Aisling Crowley 0 0-0 0, Alexis Dixon 0 0-0 0, Emma Hume 2 0-0 5. Totals 14 5-13 39

CENTRAL CATHOLIC (38): Nadeshka Bridgewater 3 0-2 6, Claire Finney 1 2-2 4, Kaylee Thomas 4 2-2 11, Adrianna Niles 4 0-0 8, Emily Downer 4 1-2 9, Juliana Porto 0 0-0 0, Mary Gerard 0 0-0 0, Claudia Porto 0 0-0 0. Totals 16 5-8 38

3-pointers: BRAINTREE — Fay 3, Timberlake 2, Hume; CCHS — Thomas

Braintree (21-4): 6 5  6 22 — 39

Central Catholic (20-5): 5 8 13 12 — 38

Game Statistics:

Division 1 State Semifinal
BRAINTREE (39):
Adriana Timberlake 3 1-2 9, Barbara Ronca 0 1-2 1, Ariana Fay 3 0-0 9, Lily Adams 2 1-2 5, Jeniyah Jones 4 2-7 10, Aisling Crowley 0 0-0 0, Alexis Dixon 0 0-0 0, Emma Hume 2 0-0 5. Totals 14 5-13 39

CENTRAL CATHOLIC (38): Nadeshka Bridgewater 3 0-2 6, Claire Finney 1 2-2 4, Kaylee Thomas 4 2-2 11, Adrianna Niles 4 0-0 8, Emily Downer 4 1-2 9, Juliana Porto 0 0-0 0, Mary Gerard 0 0-0 0, Claudia Porto 0 0-0 0. Totals 16 5-8 38

3-pointers: B — Fay 3, Timberlake 2, Hume; CC — Thomas

1 Story Comments

0         Nibster

Another private recruiting school allowed to enter State public school tournaments. Of course they do great!

Report! #1 03/14/2019 03:49 AM