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Blame Bill Belichick… Blame Tom Brady … Heck, blame Zak DeOssie … But, finally, Longo comes clean and explains the inexplicable … (Talking more boys hoop!!!)

Feb 23rd, 2009 by Hector Longo

Hi, I’m Hector Longo.
And I admit it, finally. I’ve been jaded.
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it has to be the only explanation.
Who would have thought that “chilly” afternoon in Phoenix had such an impact on my life? I have to finally, after more than a year admit that the 2007 Patriots scarred me badly. That one loss to the Giants, ruining the perfect season, got me.
How else do you explain me picking somebody to beat the Central Catholic boys for the second year in a row?
I opened this morning’s Eagle-Tribune like a lot of you, and page 10 made me queasy.
This is the point where I tried to attach links and think I failed, just go here for my stuff on eagletribune.com:

http://www.eagletribune.com/pusports/local_story_054035227.html

http://www.eagletribune.com/pusports/local_story_054035152.html

Not that I didn’t appreciate my work. It’s just I read the predictions, then looked back to last year’s, where I picked Lowell to beat the Raiders, and I wondered aloud … “Hector, what’s your problem?”
Why?
I like Central, the program is special to me, has been since Dick Licare, yes my freshman English teacher Dick licare, talked me into watching his first team … led by senior Jim Thompson and a butterfingered sophomore (who would someday sprout wings and earn a scholarship to UMass Lowell but that’s another story) Andy Corey.
Where’s the love?
And then I remembered Super Bowl XLII. Look, I’m no homer Patriots fan. First, I’ve never had a tremendous affinity for the team. In my house as a kid, I loved Staubach’s Cowboys and my dad loved anyone playing Dallas that day.
I watched the Pats, because they were on.
Covering the team, you learn to grow impartial, too. The pro athletes assure that.
So why did the loss to the Giants sting so much? Hey man, not to brag, but there was a book brewing and, well, look there’s an ego thing about your words capturing something as special as a “perfect season.”
Please accept my apology, folks. I still hurt from that loss.
How else could I be so negative?
Look, covering this tournament is one of the true high points of my job. Anyone who has seen me speak, or for that matter had a conversation with me about my job, understands that I’m all about emotion.
I love watching kids who pour their hearts into their sports. I celebrate their highs with them (in print) and I absorb some of the pain in their lows, regardless of who they are, where they’re from and what school they play for.
And this tournament is so rich in emotion. It’s a gigantic fringe benefit. It’s the reason on my day off I spend 4 hours at the Comcast tourney, covering a game that I wasn’t scheduled to do.
It’s the reason I’ll most likely drive down to Malden for Andover’s opener tomorrow when common since dictates me taking it over the phone.
I will enjoy the next three weeks immensely. I can only hope to see nothing but local teams that Saturday afternoon at Central. So, yes, I do apologize for the negativity.
But I blame the New England Patriots for doing it to me.

Posted in Basketball, Hector Longo, Uncategorized | Comments

  • MVCguy
    I like it HL- No one's picking anyone but Central, but it's nice to see someone go out on a limb. I agree that they're the only team w/the physical size and athleticism to pull off the upset, and those Everett kids won't back down to the defending champs. I still like Central to beat them, but it will be an interesting game if it happens. Oh, and it's a nice bit of reverse psychology, like a reverse SI jinx. It gives Central a chance to say "Nobody believes in us!"... even if we all do!
  • Fib1106
    Hector:
    Picking Lowell last winter was no stretch.
    Lowell and Central split during the season.
    Then Central won the Rubber Game match in the North final 55-53.
    You were within a hoop of the correct call.

    As for Everett, they still have plenty to prove.
  • jrcm35
    How can you possibly pick Everett over Central after saying in the live blog Wednesday that you have seen Everett and were not at all impressed. Then in your players to watch you list the frosh Noel, but no mention of Cohen, who is clearly Everett's best player. Trying to stir the pot maybe? Or do you really think they can even come close to beating your "undefeated in the bay state" Raiders? Dont talk them up all year if you are going to turn come tourney time.
  • Badcopier
    The best part of the tourney is the upsets. And the unknown.
    If I could change one thing it would be teams would not play teams from their own conference in the first round. But then a computer might take over and it would be like the BCS.
    So, go North Reading. And here's hoping Georgetown wins D4.
    Mike McVeigh deserves a Garden trip.
    Finaly, here's hoping some senior who we never heard of hits a buzzer beater.
  • La Neck Rouge
    Hec,
    On your day off, dont you mean you spend 4 hours a day "watching" Comcast ?

    And the only reason you'd ever go to Malden is because Kitty's is right off the highway. (R.I.P, George....RIP)
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