DISQUS

Fib1106 · 8 months ago

I have the same reaction to the MIAA schedule. What is that about ? If nothing else it means there will be a lot of mediocre referees doing big games tonight. The ref talent is spread too thin.

The Andover game was a big disappointment. At half, you figured that Andover had survived a miserable period and come out of it still in the game. It is impossible to shoot that badly. You'd think something somewhere would have dropped.

They ran into the same problem against Central - Polanco and Arnold get gassed guarding the bigs on the other team and then they don't have enough in the tank to do much on offense. So if the guards aren't hitting they are in trouble. Speaking of Mel Berger .. he reported Arnold is having knee surgery ASAP. The kid did all right but playing on one leg has clearly worn him out.

Miller/Bramanti are a good 1-2 punch but you wonder about their size next year. Polanco and Arnold were small this year, and next year Andover will be smaller.
Kris Riemer, who didn't get much time this year, is a big athletic kid. He might step up. Hector, you'd like Riemer - he starts on the line in football AND he should make varsity baseball. Three sport kid!!

Good job Hector.

MVCguy · 8 months ago

Nice write-up, HL. Tough night for the Warriors. You're not going to beat a team like Everett without making shots. I just want to congratulate all of the AHS players and coaches on another exciting season- No one works harder. They're always fun to watch, even on a tough offensive night like that. And another great turnout from the AHS student body. Best of luck to their seniors. Jim A, I know you're a devoted follower of HL's blog: It was a pleasure watching a kid display the kind of work ethic and attitude Connor did this season. Often undersized but never outworked, his grit and leadership was a big part of Andover's success. He'll be missed by anyone in the area who loves high school hoops. I wish him a lot of luck, and know you must be very proud.

As for tonight, I'm worried it is going to be a tough night for the area. I like Georgetown to win tonight in a shootout w/New Mission. Hopefully NR's homecourt advantage can help them in the border war with Wilington because other than G-town, I think that's the best shot for a local win. I'm guessing that's a game that will come down to the last possession or two. The Reggies have been playing great but Division III DCL teams always scare me (see Bedford's success in recent years) and the loss of Celestin will be tough, especially for a group without a lot of tourney experience. And maybe I'm still scarred by the Christmas tourney but I just don't think NA has the firepower to hang with Burlington, seeds be damned. The Burlington point guard is a heck of a player, even as a sophomore, and they have 2 or 3 kids that might be better than anyone on NA. My heart is with the Knights: Nobody's had a better season relative to their talent and Coach McV is one of the classiest guys in local hoops. I'd love to see them win. But my brain says Burlington by 11. After tonight it might just be Central and Georgetown for local teams left on the guys side. Good luck to all!

granitom · 8 months ago

Two years ago in a tourney game at Central, the Raiders had Everett put away only to see Everett battle back in the last few minutes to turn it into a nail biter. Often lost in all the hoopla around the Central program are the moves made by Coach Nault, especially on defense. I'd look for Central to mix it up, run three or four different kids at Costello, and not become too predictable. Yes, the straight man is always their staple, but we've seen multiple changes on the fly this year that puts the opposition in a funk for a couple of possessions. And Central goes nine deep, including a couple of bruisers, so Everett's waves of subs shouldn't be a problem. Everett's height is, however, something Central hasn't seen all year. Should be a good one. Is anyone else curious how Everett lost to Somerville (?!) earlier this year, or to a mediocre Cambridge team a few weeks ago?

Badcopier · 8 months ago

I didn't see the Cambridge or Somerville wins over Everett.
Everett is vulnerable if they don't hit any shots from outside.
I suspect that is what happened.

Andover blew the chance to pull the upset.
Yes Everett is physically way bigger and far more athletic than Andover but... if Andover just knocks down a FEW threes, they are in the game late.

Everett wanted to bang it inside but could not. If their super sub guard didn't get hot from outside, it was anyone's game.

Central has the tools to handle Everett defensively similarly, but unlike Andover, Central has the firepower to churn out 65 points needed to win.
The only thing that could go wrong is Carson D getting in foul trouble.
That is what Everett will try to do... go after Carson.

That can backfire when Carson throws it back down your throat 3,4,5 times in a row!
Assuming Central beats Lynn Classical, and is rested, I like Central by 6 points over Everett.

mvcballer · 8 months ago

I like Central over Everett. Central has maintained consistency through out the whole season. . CD is just too dominate. 6'11 with skills along with a couple other scholarship players (Marsden,Zenevitch) thats a very hard team to beat. I would have to agree that if carson was to get into foul trouble , then they would have a chance. I think it will be a very hard fought game . I have Central winning by 12

Jim Arnold · 8 months ago

Hey MVCguy thank you for kind words!

Andover, my son obviously included, never found consistency.
Injuries never healed enough for them to do big things.
But that is parr of sports and certainly other teams overcame similar challenges.

Re Central, Badcopier nailed it. We have the match up of the year brewing in Everett big men vs Cetral big men.
This is more than Carson vs the world. He will need help and that is where Zenevitch and Wheeler and the big deep talented bench for Central have to step up.

I am dumbstruck by Everett's size. Not just height but girth!
I like Central because of their big game experience together.
But foul trouble makes that all moot.
Everett projects to be the game of the year, so far.

This is not to trivialize Lowell, Lynn English and Lexington.
But I'd be stunned if the winner in that bracket won the North.
It is Everett or Central in North D1.

In D1 South, Brockton is a bear (if they survive Durfee a third time).
That will be a wild one at the Fleet Center!
And at the end of the road, in the Centrum, it is likely Fitchburgh awaits.
(Fitchburgh split with Everett at season's end)

Fitchburgh is deep, talented, and plays together with great smarts.
If I had to rank, right now I'd go:

1) Central
2) Fitchburgh
3) Brockton
4) Everett
5) Durfee

granitom · 8 months ago

In general, I'd concur with Jim Arnold's assessment, but throw St. John's into the mix. They're in the CMass semis and looking at a probable rubber game vs. Fitchburg in the final. Yes, Brockton is undefeated but you have a hard time finding quality wins other than the two over Durfee. Central has not seen Everett's size this year, but nor has Everett played anyone comparable to Central this year. If Everett collapses on Carson, and still manages to find Billy, look for Michael Alvarez to step up on the perimeter and Jimmy Z to get open looks. Central by 12.

Fib1106 · 8 months ago

Nothing local was truly surprising.
You'd have to say not one squad that played Saturday was a prohibitive favorite.

As for Lowell, they split with Lynn English late season, with the home team winning each time. That held to form last night. Lynn English has had a good year.

Dracut had Andover-itis. World beaters one night, down the next.

The one STUNNER is Westford going down. If I could have found a bookie to take my action, I would have put the house on them.

Oh well, at least we have NH to look forward to. When does their tourney start? June?