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First impressions from the brackets … Tough draws for Lawrence and Andover in the Central Catholic invitational

Feb 20th, 2009 by Hector Longo

Don’t ever let me buy a lottery ticket around Paul Neal. The man just has bad luck.
Not only does Lawrence lose the four-way shake and gets a prelim game. The reward for a tourney-opening win is No. 1 Central Catholic.
Paul called it weeks ago. I’ll paraphrase: No matter what the scenario, we get Central.
Oh well, to get there, the Lancers had to beat the Raiders at some point.
Looking elsewhere, Andover gets a shot at redemption, a second shot with Malden, which knocked off the Warriors this week in the Medford tourney.
Beat Malden, it’s Everett (most likely). Beat Everett, it’s Central (again, if seeds hold).
For all of Methuen’s hard work, the reward is Lowell.
Other than Lowell, though, you have to like the bottom half of the draw.
That Keefe (O’Keefe???)-Simpson potential semifinal battle (Lexington-Lowell) could be a classic.
In D2, North Andover’s path to glory should be familiar. The knights, who drew a bye into the quarters, are staring at a ton of the Middlesex league, with a potential slugfest with Dracut mixed in.
Heck, of all the brackets, I have to think D2 North s most wide open.
I’ve seen the top 5 seeds in D3N (albeit only two quarters for North Reading), and I have to like both the Hornets’ chances and the Reggies IF, and it’s a GIGANTIC “if” they get past the opener without Donald Celestin.
The Greater Lawrence win over Fenwick was no fluke. The Reggies dominated.
That said, I’ve seen the good (and it’s really, really, really good) side of Watertown, and the not so good side of Watertown.
What happens when smallish Watertown gets a fistful of the man/mountain Mike Clifford and Fenwick?
And can anyone in the section handle the Reggies’ or for that matter Lynn Tech’s quicks?
Again, a great sectional.
In D4, Georgetown and Jaymie Spears have done all they could to prepare for the event. Now, it’s showtime.
Winthrop is on the other side, meaning they’d only meet in the sectional finals.
The table is set.
We’ll have plenty of preview coverage in The Eagle-Tribune, starting this weekend and per usual, we’ll be blanketing things as the locals advance.
Who’s got some thoughts on the pairings?
I know you’re out there.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments

  • MVCguy
    Nice work, Hector. There's no doubt Central has the inside track; Tough luck for Andover and Lawrence. I think we'll see CC play Lexington in the Tsongas as that team is due to make a run at least once, right? But I just don't see anyone outside of Brockton beating this Central team. If those two teams do end up playing in the Garden, it will be a game for the ages!

    I think NA got unlucky with the coin flips- Masco, who they've beaten twice, didn't end up on their side, and Woburn, who might be the most talented team in the D2N, did. They beat a much more talented Woburn team a couple years ago, but despite NA's great regular season, I'm just not convinced yet that they have enough to make any kind of run. I think they'll be challenged to win that first game vs. the Beverly-Burlington winner. I'm guessing Woburn vs. Westford in the Tsongas.

    In D3N, I was so happy to see GL's win yesterday. Combine that with the win over NR, and they're flying high! Watertown's still my choice, too much firepower and experience for the Reggies, and I think they'll play Fenwick in Lowell.

    In D4, my heart says Georgetown, and my head says Winthrop. G-town won the first battle, but unfortunately I think Wintrop takes it in the Tsongas.

    Just one man's opinions, though. Best of luck to all our local teams, and really excited to see some great hoops.

    Hey Hector- I've heard that b/c of some scheduling issues, only the Boys will be playing at Tsongas this year and that it will be on Sunday? Can you confirm that?
  • bighec711
    Yep, since the girls are at the Garden monday, they couldn't take the chance of a cancellation sunday, sooooo ... Girls are elsewhere.
    Umass lowell vs. Maine hockey on Friday and Saturday.
  • Badcopier
    Yes, Lawrence drew short straw, period.
    But at least they get a home tourney game, which is nice. And hopefully another shot at Goliath.

    Methuen has done a super job and they are my dark horse for an upset.
    Lowell can be had.

    As for Andover, we know that their win at BC High did not get counted on their record. And you had better believe that if Andover could pick one team in the top six seeds to play, it would be Malden. In their game last week, Malden shot lights out. Rematch goes to Andover.

    How about Greater Lawrence! More power to em! Hope they survive the suspension of the super soph.
  • Fib1106
    Lexington is notorious for milking this format. They rarely if ever schedule games outside their league against any quality teams. My favorite thing is watching them rout a low seed at home first round each year, then fall apart against a quality opponent.
    Last year's beating that Lowell inflicted on them was wonderful. Here's rooting for anyone except Lexington and that pompous coach Bob Farias.
  • mvcguy
    Wow- Looks like Mike Muldoon is picking up where this blog's comment section left off a couple weeks ago as far as MVC coach behavior goes. He didn't pull many punches there! Interesting.
  • raider4life
    Maldoon's article is terrible--all three of those guys are great coaches and even better role models--if the Trib worked with half as much intensity as those coaches then maybe the paper would be worth a read--bad article-done in poor taste.
  • mvcguy
    I think you're missing the point. No one denies what kind of coaches or role models they are- We're blessed to have such passionate coaches in the area, including a whole bunch not mentioned here. It's a big part of the reason that the high school hoop scene is so great in this region. But I also don't think it can be denied that slowly but surely, the standard of behavior for coaches in the MVC has declined when it comes to how they interact with officials. I totally agree with you that they're great guys, and it's all the more reason why I expect better of them on the sidelines. Competitiveness is an essential part of every great athlete and coach, but it can be taken too far. I think that's all this is- Not some bigger statement on them as people. Answer seems simple to me: If the officials can't get it done, the ADs and principals should figure out a way to do it. I really don't blame the coaches too much since they're being allowed to do it. I have faith that if they're held accountable, they'll respond. And it will make what is already the best league for boys hoop in the state even better.

    As for the Tribune, no one's making you read it, right? If it's not "worth a read", don't read it. Personally, I haven't found many papers their size who cover high school hoops the way they do, both in print and online. Don't always agree w/them, but always appreciate the effort. To each his own I guess.
  • raiderforlife
    I have grown up watching and also played in the MVC-- what I have seen this year in regards to coaches behavior is no different from years ago. None of these coaches have a history of bad behavior so I see the Maldoon article as way to stir up some controversy. I can tell you for a fact the administration (AD & Principal) at CCHS holds their coaches to the highest of standards--they would know if there was a tangible problem--they don't need Maldoon to tell them how to do their jobs. Varsity high school sports are intense, the players/coaches and fans--and that's how the student athletes want it. I don't see the few dust up this year as some perverse problem.
  • Fib1106
    Mike Muldoon's column had legitimate points.
    But don't apologize for EJ Perry.

    EJ Perry was suspended by Salem's AD for his behavior in the Christmas Tourney.
    Mike reported EJ did not coach the 3rd game of Tourney because he was sick.
    Uh Uh.
    Don't play both sides of the fence.
  • bluenwhite
    Mike Muldoon's article is a joke. These coaches work hard and in games the continue to work hard and if they feel they are being wronged they are going to let you know...I haven't seen Bob O'real at any games...so he doesn't seem to think there's a problem...don't think the Refs are going back to Bob and saying these coaches are out of control or he would be there to witness it and make changes....Tell Muldoon to go to a game himself and see or better yet start coaching and then we'll see his article......Hector Help out your boy......
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