DISQUS

Rick Nault · 11 months ago

Hector,

Just to clarify what I said to the staffer - My exact quote was " Lawrence and Andover were to the two most improved teams and that Lowell and Central lost a great deal and that it could be a four team race"

That was my exact quote. Now your comment of greatest team of all time is a little over zealous on your part. It's all in good fun , love the coverage and work that you put in the High School hoops season.

L · 11 months ago

Scott Hazelton team would destroy this team, and I take last year team also, this team has no point guard, a athletic team would trap this team all day long. Lawrence will upset them in the second round of the X-Mass Tourney.

Randy · 11 months ago

L,
you're nuts. please, please, please seek medical attention immediately.

Hazelton was a beast, but this "team" is better than his. Marsden from the outside is the best in the state, and Desroisers is going to be an absolute FORCE down low. The kid was recruited by d1 schools as a friggin sophomore.

Central repeats at conf. and state champs, and finishes with no more than two losses.

A huge Pinkerton fan!!! · 11 months ago

Randy, when are schools allowed to contact athletes? Clearinghouse rules are ambiguous at best... Sophomore year?

Herman Hermanson · 11 months ago

Gee, looks like nobody told Hector about Title IX.

Central Fan · 11 months ago

CCHS certainly has their weaknesses, but their strengths far outway these foibles. As long as Desrosiers wanders in the paint on defense, it'll be very difficult to topple this juggernaut. You may be able to force a few turnovers from their inexperienced 1's, but you also expose yourself to a flurry of quick hoops when the ball gets to the middle. On closer inspection though, and unlike the team of a year ago, they are vulnerable defensively. Undersized and athletically challenged in the backcourt, they may not be able to defend against quicker and taller guards...and as is pretty evident the scoring against Central has to be done away from Carson, either at the perimeter or on the fast break. This should not be a problem in the MVC, but may rear it's ugly head in the State Tourney. That being said, beware of the man at the top, Rick Nault, in his short tenure as Coach, has shown an uncanny ability to motivate. He also posses the basketball acumen to take them deep again. His program is bottomless, as he always has the option of reaching down(JV or Frosh) and pulling something out of the hat.

MVC title for sure, but a tougher time getting the "BIG"prize this time around

Granitom · 11 months ago

"Potentially the greatest team of all time"??? Come on, Hector, it's a little early for such accolades. Central Fan captures it nicely, especially replacing the tremendous depth in the backcourt. Admittedly, they're deeper up front than last year, and no one will out-work the Raiders, thanks to Coach Nault's practices. Marsden proved last year that he's a warrior. "Wouldn't rank them lower than third in New England?" Keep in mind that Bishop Hendricken (RI) returns three starters, is extremely talented and deep in the backcourt, and comes to Hampshire Street in February for what should be a great game. Also, I wouldn't overlook Hillhouse, Wilbur Cross, or Trinity Catholic in CT. Good analysis, Hector, just a tad premature.

Hector Longo · 11 months ago

Fellas a couple things:
First, to Mr. Hermanson. I understand that girls basketball is a bigtime sport, probably better overall than boys in this region when you talk scholarships and stuff.
My main beats, though, are football, boys hoop and baseball. I try to stick with them. Should someone on our staff pick up the gauntlet and attempt to blanket the blogosphere with thought-provoking insight?
That is up to you, the readers and participants to demand.

On the Central hoop talk, allow me to clarify, when I say potentially the best of all-time, I mean best from our region of the teams we cover.
If I'm talking best of all-time, I will point to Don Bosco High in 1984, with Chenault Terry, Shawn Malloy, john Williams and I think, Shawn Hood.
Of course, that team lost to another "best of all-time" candidate in the 1984 lowell team with Ramon Rivera, Scott Stapleton, Derek Oliver and Co. in one of the greatest games ever.
And, of course, that team lost to Durfee and the Herrens in one of the greatest shooting performances ever.
So , that was just a clarification.
I do feel this team would handle the Hazelton title team, though. That's just one man's opinion.

Badcopier · 11 months ago

Last year's Central team is the best ever from this area. I would like to see them against Pat Ewing's Camrbridge teams and the great Don Bosco teams. This year's Central is a different team, with a better Carson.
Hector is right. Andover is a sleeper and dangerous to everyone else. They move the ball. Bramonte is terrific. Arnold is solid.
Lawrence will improve by 6 wins over last year, at least. Great league.

matt · 11 months ago

ok so jamie spears is probably the best player in the CAL, but i mean he cant carry a team. hell get taken out of games, because teams obviously know whats comming, and i dont think his team can keep it up for him. He hasnt prooved to be a "superstar" yet so i think we can all relax. One day he will be but not yet. they beat Manchester essex by 1 and lost to cathedral by 1 with spears shooting a phenominal 2-19. congratulations. Jamie is good not great. and Gorgetown is decent at best. That is all

Granitom · 11 months ago

L's prediction on 12/16 of a pending Lawrence upset of CCHS now appears laughable. The Lancers are very quick and should have been able to trap the heck out of Central, but Lawrence was never able to set up their press because they made so few baskets. Also, amidst all the well-earned conversation about Marsden and Carson, time for a few props to a largely unnoticed Fernandez. He has been solid, careful with the ball, and very dependable. Could Central struggle a bit against taller, athletic, experienced guards? Maybe, but there aren't many of those around. Meanwhile, pretty clear separation between the cream of the MVC and that of NH. Andover/CC will be a war between two of the best-coached teams in the state.

Badcopier · 11 months ago

Pinkerton and Salem NH disappointed. But it's good to see Methuen coming around in hoop. It's been a rough ride in Ranger land in too many sports for too long. Rodriguez is very tough and very good.
Andover has played Central enough to know Carson D will shots; the key to an upset is to not get demoralized and to create points off defense and the break. Andover's Polanco is underrated. Arnold has been great. If he was healthier they'd have a chance.

Granitom · 11 months ago

The big difference between the MVC and NH schools is that, in the MVC, there are few cupcakes. Central plays Andover, Lawrence, Lowell, and emerging Haverhill twice. Plus non-leaguers vs. at SJP, Hall of Fame vs. American Heritage, and Bishop Hendricken; all tough outs. A week after getting blown out by Central by 40, Lowell beats Londonderry by 15. MVC schools are used to nightly wars. Andover will need to shoot the lights out and rebound like maniacs on the defensive glass. I agree they'll need to get points off D, but how often does Central turn it over? And Carson changes a game like one one in this area, perhaps ever. A bit screwy that they play again four days after the final.