RallyNorth.net: High School Sports - Merrimack Valley and Southern NH

Headed to Haverhill to see what Trovato has up his sleeve. Hope they heat that gym tonight.
You have to think Lowell gives Central more trouble than they managed the first time around.
Keep up the good work Hector. Most of these games I'm seeing have full houses.
And they games get even crazier next week.

Guessing that the Lowell game won't be another double-up 40-pointer, like the last time. Wonder about Simpson's health.
Trovato, I guarantee you, makes Faz look come on the sideline.
Everyone is a big one for the Hillies. Tell me what you think of Charlie Roche. I've really loved what i've seen from him lately

I'm also fired up to see what Jimmy Zorbas has to offer Salem tonight. We'll get a good gauge of Feinstein, Sanborn and the boys against the Blue Devils in one of those.
Girls varsity, boys varsity doubleheaders.

Charlie was the Big Fish in 5th and 6th grade. I was refereeing a lot then.

I saw Charlie score about 45 against Andover in that crazy Lawrence St Augustine Tourney. Marsden played for Pelham then. Alot of the all stars you see now were good then too.
Anyway, Haverhill played in the finals against Andover later in that same tourney. Charlie probably had another 30. But the Russelll kid, who starts at Phillips Andover these days was playing for Andover. He and Conner Arnold won the game.
The more things change...
Long way of saying Charlie has always been good. Never chirps. Always plays hard. Same on the soccer field. The kid is a winner. Andover is hot now but Haverhill has to be desperate - don't they still have to go to Central and Lowell?

Dont believe Jim Z's Londonderry teams have ever beaten Salem. Tonight could be different. Londonderry was hurting but now they have bodies back. They have come close to NH Final Four 3 or 4 straight years. They are due.

Zorbas squeezes all he can out of what he's got. He's so driven to break through in the tourney.
The heat is on at Mansfield, I'm sure.

Haverhill, to make the tourney, probably has to pull off one perceived upset, whether it's Andover, Lawrence, Central or Lowell.
They've got to win a large division game.

Those kids deserve it (Haverhill).
Deck is stacked against them.
Game time!

Have fun, and don't be afraid to try the pizza. Ollie Longo gave it two thumb's up.

I've added the J. Michael's Special Burger to the list of must-haves. I"m out to to Salem and Londonderry.
HL

The MVC is a great high school league. Jim's right about the lack of college potential in the league---but that doesn't detract from the competition, skill , rivalries and dedication of these high school players and really outstanding coaches.

There are leagues in MA where there are individual players , here and,there, that have more college potential than MVC players but their teams aren't terribly good.

The really good MA players, for the most part, are pirated away and stashed in the NEPSAC, where they're stacked like planes over Logan--this league and its 3 divisions is the meat market for college coaches. That's why a Carson is so unusual--his parents want to ,first, raise agood kid and, second, educate him, and third, have him play BB.

Listen, his father. Andy CCHS ' 75, bleeds red and blue--and by the way, that's the only reason he and his sister are at Central--sing me no songs about Windham/Salem tuition--his folks are paying the full freight at Central. and their kids love it there

If DD wants to see DI talent then go watch some of those phony prep schools. i.e., Winchendon, ND of Fitchburg,etc (they're really BB teams w schools attached!!) play in front of 43 fans while these guys get their SAT scores up--there's no passion--the coaches main job is to keep these guys away from b & e arrests and keep themin cold storage for the Big 10, and SEC monsters of the world.

That's not what the MVC is about--this is neighbor vs neighbor knocking each other's head off on Friday nights---showing up at the Xmas tournament and arguing about 25 year old games--kids playing their very last organized ball except for beer leagues--for 99% of the players this is DI basketball!

I'm not sure which blogger said it, but there can be no question that the MVC is the best HIGH SCHOOL league in Mass.

So Hector, when we're talking about the best area players, i think you have to agree that we really should rule outyour college experience criterion --it's much too rare---and make it about the best HIGH SCHOOL players. What players excelled and what did their teams achieve--if that's the test, then we have scores of contestants. If you use the college thing, then you have Gary McClain and Jimmy Lewis ---period..

So limiting it to high school experiences only--who was the best?

Saw another brilliant coaching performance last night by Lowell's Scott Boyle--he almost pulled it off. Great crowd--great spirit. Central played hard for all 4 periods and was on the verge of pullin away 2 or 3 times, but Lowell hung. Great fun.

Hey Hector--ever been to the Southeast Asia Restaurant on Market St in Lowell? It has Cambodian, Laotian, Vietnamese and Thai dishes on the menu--spectacular--BYOB--5 of us , w big doggy bags--53 bucks!

Hector--how about a blog on great restaurants of the MVC??

Let's talk about pre-game offerings at Cafe Azteca (Law.), Shadi's (Meth), ,La Boniche,(Low), George's (Hav), The Peddlar's Daughter (Hav), Palmer's and the Andover Inn (And) etc.

As always, Hector--lots of fun--thank you.

Hey Hector! I have a two part question and would love to know your thoughts on them. Does Carson play any other sports that you know of? If not, do you believe that another sport would have made him an even stronger basketball player? I have enjoyed watching him since he was a little guy. I also know you are a big proponent the multi sport athlete. I completely understand his talent level... does that change the need to play a variety of high school sports? Anyway great blog as usual and I am thrilled for the Astros...

Looks like another MVC title for CCHS---Sorry just don't see any upsets in their future-not the way Ricky has them playing.
Bring on the boys from Hendricken RI and lets get ready for what is sure to be a battle to get out of the north in the tourney.

Haverhill shot the lights out early against Andover but didn't have staying power. Haverhill has a tough road now, including at Lawrence, at Central and at Lowell.
Yikes! Winner of the Haverhill-Lawrence game probably gets in the tourney. Loser may be bounced.

Hector, Charlie Roache worked his tail off. Earned every one of his 15 points. Haverhill had all their kids for the first time this year. If they can sneak in to the tourney, I can see them ruining some high seed's season. For instance, wouldn't it be great for those Haverhill kids to bump off a Lexington?

Raiderforlife - the league title goes to CCHS. Deserved. But wait on your no- upset-prediction til after Wednesday night at Andover.

Agreed Fib, I may be a bit ahead of myself. Andover always gets up for Central-and I believe it is at Andover-so that may give them a boost. Faz is a great coach but Andover will have to play a better game than they have all year to win. Central's defense wins out in the end though-Ricky has them focused and dialed in.

Andover at Brookline tomorrow (Feb 1) game time is moved to 2:30

Please establish a word count. I was reading rougebleu's post and thougt I was about to read "And one time, at band camp..."

Come on, WC--I'm sure you can do better than that--stay on point--agree/disagree--try hard.