DISQUS

Badcopier · 9 months ago

Great summary Hector.
The switch by Andover to starting Miller instead of Ehlbeck has been brewing awhile. It got Miller involved (the alley oop missed but it got the kid engaged early!)
Miller is easily the most athletic kid on the team. He has been lost for weeks, but he sure was big last night. AND it ignited Ehlbeck, who was active at both ends.

Bramanti was really struggling for awhile after Andover's home loss to Central. But the kid is a stud and he found his footing at the right time. He is tenacious and gets into a zone, and it sure makes them hard to beat. Bramanti and Miller were two different kids last night. Everett has to be concerned. And the MVC has to be concerned for the next two years with those kids.

Re Arnold, it wasn't just his rebounds. When Andover went to its trap, Arnold immediately had two steals then took a charge. Result: Andover 8 point lead. But Fazio then rested Arnold and... Malden immediately stormed back to tie it. No coincidence. In the second half, Arnold seemed to be running the point. He was piling up assists. The kid is the glue of the team.

If they could bump off Everett it would be a lot of redemption.

Fib1106 · 9 months ago

Talk about Jeckyl and Hyde. I don't get Andover. They looked tremendous.
After Black Monday (Lawrence, Methuen, St John's going down), I had little hope for Andover. As usual I was wrong.

Hector, we went from referee craziness at Lawrence to, last night, the opposite!

Malden had a little foul trouble and Andover had no foul trouble. The refs, to their credit, seemed to have complete control. There were no issues and no nonsense. Very refreshing! Maybe, as you point out Hector, Coach Fazio saw which way the wind was blowing and it trickled down to his team.

Little mentioned, but solid last night: Kevin Polanco. LIke the rest of the Andover team, he seemed to make good decisions all night.

Badcopier, I second you on Arnold. He was everywhere.

Be nice see them bump Everett and give Central one more shot. Maybe Central would be so bored by the prospect that Andover could take em to the wire.

Damn, I look good in blue · 9 months ago

Yeah, I have some comments:

1.) You don't "start"and epiphany, you "have" an epiphany. Buy a dictionary.
2.) Stop using the word "SPECIAL" when describing MA basketball players. When you produce Michael Jordan, David Thompson, Jonh Lucas, James Worthy, Phil Ford, Dominique Wilkins, Bob McAdoo, Walter Davis, Bobby Jones, Cedric Maxwell or Brad Daugherty, then you can use that word.

Special compare to what ? The other 9 stiffs on the floor ?

Damn, I look good in blue · 9 months ago

oh yeah, I forgot Buck Williams, Walt Bellamy, Lou Hudson, Sam Jones and last, but not least, Meadowlark Lemon !!!

Now I know how Iverson felt about being asked about practice....Special ?!! Special !!...You're talking about special ?!

Fib1106 · 9 months ago

Damn, Blue, you are a consistent angry man!
What do you do when you aren't dissing high school sophomores?

Speaking of North Carolina, i was thinking the other day about all the Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners that have sprung from greater Asheville.

But you are right, NC has it all over MA in terms of hoops pedigree.
And Sweden has it over MA when it comes to beautiful women.
Does that mean we stop talking about MA women?

Jim Arnold · 9 months ago

Carolina Blue, you belong with me in Anger Management!

I wanna know how Masco, North Andover and Georgetown fare, and North Reading too. We won't see any of their players in the Big East.
But we know their parents, friends, girlfriends and legacies.
That's the point of it. Community.

Damn, I look good in blue · 9 months ago

Sorry, fellas. I just call it like I see it.

Now, if you'll excuse me. I'm sure Duke, NC or Wake are on tonight. Enjoy Salem St vs UMaine-Machias.

On a more positive note - Charlotte's native son, Rick Nature Boy flair turned 60 today,

Damn, I look good in blue · 9 months ago

I just looked up SI's greatest 50 athletes by state and MA did produce Rebecca Lobo....kudos

Loyal Valley Person · 9 months ago

Big Fat Blue,

Let me get this straight. You grow up in NH move to North Carolina and now you are better than everyone who lives up here. Interesting? If you are not interested in participating positively please leave my good friend Hector alone and have a great life. Obviously you have some interest or you would not check in daily... Congrats we admit it better athletes in NC or where ever you live now.

bighec711 · 9 months ago

I'll say this one more time about Charlotte's Web ... He went to the Garden, saw Jeff Adrien, yes UConn's Jeff Adrien as a senior at Brookline High put up 32 and 16 to beat Central in a thriller. He had all but four of his team's points in the second half.
And his reaction was, "I guess he was all right, but he'll never make it in college."
Nice call snowbird.

Big blue · 9 months ago

As usual, I have no idea what Longo is referring to. Longo probably doesnt know what longo is referring to.

I will say this. On a visit this past year, I watched Salem, NH play some other scrub NH team. I watched some Salem kid who couldnt create a shot or play defense. He may have hit an occasional shot if left wide open. Completely unforgettable performance....The reason I mention this is his father was convinced he was going on a D1 full boat somewhere. Maybe LaLa Land just opened a university. That's MVC sports....

Despite what Longo says, Leo Parent was the best b-ball player ever to come out of the MVC. He dominated the league surrounded by avg players. I saw him dominate the Boston Shootout back when it was a legitimate tourney, won a D2 title, and was the last cut by the Golden St Warriors. And the best the big fella got was a ride to Manhattan College.

And every year, Longo says this is the best CCHS team ever and this kid is the best CCHS player ever.....Zzzzzzzzzz.......Please reserve the word "special" for players who are special, not special ed.

mvcguy · 9 months ago

I disagree that Leo Parent was the best highschool player ever. I would take Hazelton over him and carson any day . Although I believe carson has much more upside then both players metioned . Hazelton would have dominated him in highschool . He was a flat out scorer

raider4life · 8 months ago

Leo Parent-best I have ever seen. Bobby L was NASTY as well. Forget Hazelton (he could never D up Leo) and any other players from 90's or 00's for that matter--none of them were as good as Bobby or Leo. I was only ten years old but I know I have not seen anyone better since. Haz, was really good Cars will be better when it is all said and done but neither could take Leo- I won't hear it.

mvcguy · 8 months ago

Well thats very debatable. Hazelton had an unbelievable skill set for his size. I remember him playing all 5 postions on the floor. Two season with the Raiders stellar numbers, and the first state championship in central history . Not to mention he was regarded as a top 50 highschool player in the country . I would have to agree that leo had a better college career than Hazelton , but he was not a more dominant highschool player . And to say that Bobby Licare is even in the same league as the three mentioned , you lost all credablity on that one. Not to take anything away from bobby . But the other three are legit ball players 6-6 and above with great skill sets. That fact alone puts them in their own category .
Central Greats in order:
Hazelton
Parent
CD
Bobby Licare
Johnathan Cruz
Billy Marsden

Hands down were the most dominant highschool players central has ever had. Three mentioned on the list won state championships , cruz had one championship appearence, and I believe three fleet center trips.

mvcguy · 8 months ago

Hey- somebody's stealing my nickname! I've been posting under mvcguy all year, but these posts weren't mine. I guess identity theft can hit anyone. :) For the record, the original mvcguy agrees that Hazelton was the most dominant local HS player ever. Just an impossible matchup. As for the guy in NC, no one here follows these kids because they're going to be basketball stars. Like Jim A said, it's a community thing. No need to drag good kids and good people down just to make yourself feel better.

raiderforlife · 8 months ago

I lose all credibility... then you put Bobby 4th all time at CCHS-so I don't agree with you by 2 spots. See I am thinking of them as a basketball players not just high school bball players and clearly the big stage is college level and both Bobby and Leo won a National title. We are splitting hairs here now.

Although after reading your post again--putting Cruz on that list is a joke-he can't hold any of their jock straps let along belong on the same court. I can name 15 players (at least) that were better than Cruz probably more. I lost you on that one for sure.

mvcdude · 8 months ago

First off i would like to apologize to MVC Guy for having the similar name. I put Cruz on that list because he started all 4 years at central, scored over a thousand points and had over a thousand rebounds. Played division one basketball. Has 4 north sectional finals. Thats pretty impressive.
Now in reference to being a basketball player . It is still in my opinion that Hazelton was the best player in this area. The kid was 6-8 he could handle the basketball, he could shoot the basketball.He did whatever he wanted to do on the court .I agree with MVC Guy he was an impossible match up . CD would have had no chance of guarding any of them . And leo would have had no chance of guarding Hazelton. Listen ive been off the Hazelton band wagon for some time now. But i'll give credit when credit is do. Leo was great , Hazelton was great , CD has a chance to be great . The difference is CD has a chance to be great at the Div 1 level and possibly pro level. Bobby and Leo were great at the div 2 level. Hazelton had a sub par college career at the div1 level. Still a big difference from the div 2 level. If Hazelton played div 2 basketball coming out of highschool he would have dominated. case closed. Anybody else willing to discuss hoops , let me know. We need to spice up this forum

raiderforlife · 8 months ago

We agree mostly then. I just see winning it all in D2 (from ULowell nonetheless) as better than scrappy minutes at URI-either way they are all great players (except Cruz)-I know his numbers are there and Garden appearances but he really was not in the GREAT category--not enough heart or pride in his game for me. Its tough to argue CC vs CC -certainly not spicy. Lets hope they knock off the rust tonight vs Sommerville.

mvcdude · 8 months ago

Agreed :) , Go Central

Jim Arnold · 9 months ago

My kid could start for NC tomorrow if he grew 11 inches.

bighec711 · 9 months ago

Salem, N.H., is in the MVC???
Hey Carolina Blew ... Leo Parent was great, if you read this blog he was a top five guy ever in my eyes.
However, last cut of the Warriors???
Sure, if it weren't for Chris Mullen, Mitch Richmond and Tim Hardaway, they had a jersey for him.
As far as Leo being surrounded by average players, I'll say he was surrounded by average forwards. I believe a slick point guard that played with Leo got a full scholarship and won a D2 national title with him.

And stop denying the past and you poo-pooing Jeff Adrien. You were there, at the Garden. We all met for wings down the street before the game.
So stop. Stop with the accusations. Stop with the shots.

Watch a good, positive movie, I recommend "That Thing You Do!" and grow a positive outlook.

HL

granitom · 8 months ago

Hector, great breakdown of the game. The MIAA will never be confused with a fan-friendly organization. While Central's #1 seed in nice, you have to hope the Raiders aren't a tad rusty since they're the only team in the tourney who hasn't played yet, and haven't played a game in a nine days. Andover over Everett would be an upset, but not a huge upset. If Central takes care of biz, you're looking at a potential CC-Andover part 4 later next week. Location: Lawrence High would make all sorts of sense. Hence, unlikely. Brockton-BCHigh tonight could be interesting. No, the MVC is not the be-all and end-all of high school hoops. But it's clearly one of the two best in New England. And while there may be a dearth of D1 talent, there is also a dearth of functional illiteracy.

Fib1106 · 8 months ago

Assuming North Andover gets by Burlington, they get winner of Dracut v Woburn.
That will be a test. I don't know if they can beat either team.

We will know plenty more come Sunday morning about all of our teams.
Andover has work cut out for them - Everett is huge and a threat to everyone.
Has anyone heard why their coach missed the first quarter of Brighton game?