Another vintage tourney performance out of Central Catholic and Billy Marsden to take out Lynn Classical.
Ricky Nault took offense when I told him at Lawrence-Somerville that no team scrapped like the Lancers scrapped.
He took it as a shot at his team’s defense.
I guess with all of Carson’s blocks and all of Marsden’s bombs, plus the Raiders’ tendency to blast the opposition out of most gyms, I hardly noticed their grit or their feisty defensive nature.
Then I watched them take over a game with defense last night, simply taking away what came so easy to Classical in the first half.
So hats off to Central. Before Marsden’s late offensive heroics, it was the effort on defense that swung this game.
A few points on the night:
1. I can’t explain it. At times tonight, Billy Marsden looked like the guy scuffling on the floor of the World Trade Center, trying to move orange juice futures for the Mortimer and Randolph Duke in the Eddie Murphy/Dan Akroyd classic, Trading Places. Confused, spiralling out of control. And then, he looks like a flat-out killer. I don’t know how he’ll get it done at the next level. But I have the utmost confidence he will. I’ve seen more than enough. Winna, on all counts!!!
2. I’m on the Jarell Byrd wagon. The kid can play. Although seeking out Carson to woof in his face after a block was a bit premature, don’t you think?
3. Sometimes, officials don’t get it. You don’t penalize the good kids for being good. Two real phantom nudge fouls on Carson sent him to the bench for too darn long. On a night when Carson was “Jonathan Cruz-ed” (definition: Picked on by officials because he’s good. Cruz never got a call around here.) and converged upon from all sides by a Lynn defense that literally ignored all but CD and Marsden he still managed 14 points, 15 rebounds and six blocks. Please fellas, when he fouls, blow the whistle. But when he’s in the area and grabs a rebound because he’s bigger and better, don’t create calls. All those people are there to watch him, not you.
Very disturbing moment when the Classical kids left the locker room afterward, some adult was barking, “Don’t you dare hang your heads, you guys didn’t get any calls tonight.”
Hmmm. First of all, it was a 14-point game. Second of all, Central still hasn’t gotten Classical into the penalty for the second half, a second half that saw the Raiders whistled for 12 fouls and the Rams for 6. Each team made nine FTs, Lynn 9 of 10, CC 9 of 13.
And Central was the only team in foul trouble with CD and Benny Fernandez (that’s 40 percent of the starting lineup folks) hampered by foul trouble.
The Classical kids played hard, Central was better. Get on the officials if they are wrong, not when the facts disprove it. When Lawrence got hurt bad in its own gym, I was the first to say it. The numbers backed it up.
There was just no evidence here.
Don’t be inciting anger. Pat the kids on the back.
3. Big step up by tonight by Jimmy Zenevitch and it was necessary. At times, Central really struggled for offense and Zenevitch was there for the answer. Crucial night for the sophomore. And despite Billy’s fireworks, junior Mike Alvarez hit the hoop of the night, a three to answer Byrd’s and stretch the lead to eight early in the fourth.
4. Byrd feasted on Central when Tim Wheeler wasn’t on him. If you had any doubt about Wheeler’s importance, you watched the job he did on Byrd out of the gate i n the third quarter.
5. CD and Marsden shared the MVC Most Valuable Player Award. Jimmy Zenevitch was named a large school all-star, that’s it. Last time I looked Central went 13-0 in the MVC, right? Benny, my man, the coaches have some explaining to do when it comes to you big guy. Benny played 28 minutes a night for the unbeaten league champs. Me thinks the MVC coaches doth protest too much.
HL
We’ll break down Central-Everett tomorrow some time, here on this blog.
