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Ashland ace derails Central Catholic express

From scouting and four innings of first-hand knowledge, Ashland knew its best shot at victory over Central Catholic was to rattle the Raiders.

It took over half the Eastern Mass. Division 2 title game, but the undefeated Clockers finally broke through. After forcing the North champion Raiders into an uncharacteristic four errors, Ashland then delivered the clutch hits to make the mistakes hurt. The shut-down pitching of Gatorade state player of the year Nicole D'Argento was the final piece of the winning puzzle as the Clockers took a 5-0 decision before about 200 fans at Tripp Field.  

Bottom of the order lifting Central to the top

There are no superstars on the Central Catholic softball team, but there are no weak links, either.

And that may be the key to the Raiders' Division 2 North title and be their best hope of knocking off powerful Ashland (26-0) tomorrow (7 p.m.) in the state semifinals in Taunton. Ashland is ranked the top team overall in Eastern Mass., although its last three tourney games have been close, including 1-0 in eight innings over Apponequet in the South finals.

Lack of timely hitting ends Indians season

Like Trey Wilson | the actor who played manager Joe Riggins in "Bull Durham" | said of baseball, "This is a simple game. You throw the ball, you hit the ball, you catch the ball." The same can be said of softball — it's a simple game.

Habib perseveres to become Central ace

Resiliency has paid off for junior pitcher Liz Habib and, as a result, for the entire Central Catholic softball team.

Early in the season, the prospects did not look particularly promising for Habib or the Raiders, who were looking for someone to take the baton from graduated All-Merrimack Valley Conference pitcher Rachel Merrick.

Timing is everything for streaking Central

 It's the perfect time for Central Catholic to be playing perfect softball.

Whether from brilliant pitching by Liz Habib, stellar defense or an offense both smart and powerful, the sixth-seeded Raiders did it all in blanking No. 3 Arlington Catholic, 6-0, at mosquito-infested Martin Field.

Malden Catholic ousts Central

After playing with wooden bats all spring in the Catholic Conference, Malden Catholic is relishing the ping of the aluminum bats in the state tournament.

 The Lancers proved it again yesterday in a 13-8 win over Central Catholic in the Division 1 North quarterfinals at Merrimack College. That ended a superb 19-4 season for the Raiders.

Can Central capture the magic of winter?

The bloggers furiously searched for updates.

A high school community was on edge as Central Catholic's boys basketball team captured a storybook state championship.

Now, after a head-turning 17-3 regular season by the Merrimack Valley Conference large champion Raiders, many around the region wonder, could the magic be back?

Close cousins are fierce rivals on the field

Life will be much simpler for Josephine Guselli next spring. It may not be anywhere near as much fun, however.

For the last few years, she has been a gung-ho fan of both the Central Catholic and Methuen softball teams, avidly following her granddaughters, Chelsey, a senior for the Raiders, and Becca, a junior for the Rangers.

Around the Horn with...Chris Sartori, Central Catholic Baseball

In limited playing time last year, Central Catholic's Chris Sartori had four hits in 16 at-bats. This year, in 14 games, he's hitting a nifty .439, going 18 for 41.

It was just a year and a half ago that the Andover resident was taking a seat in his first car. The price was right. He won the 1999 Bravada SUV from his school, which was being raffled off in a fund-raiser.

Central hammers Methuen

Central Catholic pasted Methuen 15-0 in five innings.

Lindsay Martin drilled an run-scoring double and Lisa Policelli had an RBI single in Central's six-run second inning.

Tina Eringis had the day's monster blast, a grand slam as part of a nine-run, fourth-inning uprising.

Central's Kemp comes up huge

Ryan Kemp's infield hit scored Pat Noone in the bottom of the seventh to give Central Catholic a 15-14 win over Lowell and a share of the Merrimack Valley Conference title. Kemp had a huge day in the Raiders' MVC finale, going 4 for 5 with three RBIs and two runs scored.

Coaches' Corner: Central Catholic's Sully Grella

Sully Grella has been part of the region's sports scene for nearly 20 years.

He grew up in Methuen and attended Central Catholic ('92) and Merrimack College before heading back to his alma mater on Haverhill Street to teach math and coach track. (He shares head coaching duties with Mike Leal.)

Triton's tourney hopes suffer blow with loss to Central Catholic

Just when you thought it was safe to put on your sandals, this spring's frigid off-shore breeze has decided to thwart any possibility of a sunny River Rival lacrosse game.

 Most teams tend not to blame the weather for their performances, and yesterday was no exception for the Triton boys lacrosse team.

The race is on: Andover slams Central, slides back into first-place tie

NORTH ANDOVER | In a way, the fact that nothing was settled on a league-wide basis here yesterday makes perfect sense.
You'd hate to see the Merrimack Valley Conference large school crown decided in a 20-10 romp.

Stabile, O'Brien shine in defeat

Behind Boston College recruit Sara Missert, who had three impressive efforts to capture the long jump, triple jump and 400, Central Catholic won its battle of unbeatens with Haverhill, 87-58, clinching at least a share of the MVC Large title. Central improved to 4-0 with just its dual meet against Andover remaining.

Bilodeau leads upstart Central to early successes

After spending her first two years at Central Catholic trying to get a lacrosse team started, Meredith Bilodeau is spending her third season leading the Raiders on the field.

The junior is captain of the first-year Central Catholic lacrosse team, and through four games has scored a team-high 10 goals.

Ottaviani Haverhill Invitational Meet

Lawrence's KB Oshodi has been one of Central Catholic's best and brightest track stars. And he has the Raider football program to thank for it.

"In my freshman year, the football coaches wanted to get us to do track," Oshodi explained. "They said it would be good to try and do a lot of different stuff. In the triple jump, in my first year, I was doing better than the varsity guys. I did well and I just continued to improve."

Raiders impressive in early going

A talented junior class had Central coach Marc Pelletier enthused in the preseason. Because of it, the coach kept 20 players, four or five more than usual.

The Raiders are off to a 3-0 start, scoring 17, 11 and 10 runs in those games. And that's with a pair of impact players, Marc Crowley and Michael Romano out of the lineup with injuries.

Central's unheralded Valenti can no longer be overlooked

Every afternoon, every practice, every time Roberto Valenti and his Central Catholic baseball teammates hit the diamond at Mount Vernon Park in South Lawrence represents an opportunity.

Valenti, who grew up just a relay throw away from the park, could tell his suburban mates about the glory days with South Lawrence West, reminisce about the pre-high school heroics.

Novak, Central dump Hillies

Ronny Rosario's bases-loaded, second-inning missile shot plunked just outside the left-field line, a long Hillie strike just foul by a foot.

Andrew Guyer's looper with the bases loaded in the bottom half of the frame did not | good for a three-run double.

Central walks over Andover

Central Catholic was  the recipient of 17 walks from Andover pitching and cruised to a 13-5 win. The Raiders (2-1) had five hits, highlighted by Chelsey Guselli's three-run homer. Liz Habib earned the win. For Andover, Rachel Licciardi had two RBIs and Kerry McCarthy had two hits.

Central's Walsh tosses no-no

Brendan Walsh delivered the game of his career, pitching a no-hitter to lead Central Catholic to a season-opening 17-0 drubbing of Amesbury.

"This is the first no-hitter for Central since Kevin Bateman in either 1986 or 1987," said Central head coach Marc Pelletier. "He was just in control from the first batter. He ran his fastball away and he was never really threatened."

Central Catholic Girls Lacrosse Preview

2007 record: First-year varsity program

Newcomers: Lauren Aleksa, Jr., defense; Michelle Bibeau, Jr., defense; Meredith Bilodeau, Jr., midfield; Ellen Colman Soph., defense/midfield; Adelle Dagher, Jr., attack; Emily Gaudiano, Jr., attack; Allison Hillner, Soph., attack; Gina Iannazzi, Soph., attack; Courtney Kellogg, Soph., defense/attack; Regina LaRose, Jr., attack; Sarah Lattrell, Sr., defense/attack; Courtney O'Neil, Frosh., attack; Kelsey Richards, Sr., attack; Bianca Sacco, Soph., defense; Nancy Scandura, Soph., defense, Liz Steele, Soph., goalie.

Coaches' Corner: Central Catholic's Katie Sullivan

Katie Sullivan is a teacher, coach and lawyer all rolled into one.

Now in her third year at the helm of the girls track team at Central Catholic, the Andover High (1999), University of Maryland (2003) and Suffolk Law (2006) graduate teaches at Central during the week, mixing in home closings when she can.

Her Raiders were slated to open the season Wednesday (3:30 p.m.) at Lawrence Stadium against Billerica.

1. So what was the most difficult part of law school?
"It's the amount of work, the amount of reading. That's easily the toughest part."

2. How do you balance daily life and work?
"The first year, you don't balance it. It's just law school. Your social life becomes your study groups. It's like boot camp."

3. Is it interesting doing different kinds of work every week?
"Obviously, it's a change. I remember leaving Lawrence Stadium (last year), running to my car, grabbing my suit, going back into the rest room and changing like I'm Superman. I feel like I have to find the nearest phone booth to change."

4. Could you describe your part-time work?
"If it fits in my schedule, essentially I'm the attorney the bank provides at the closing. I don't have to do a lot of the paperwork before hand. It's done for me. It requires me basically to be able to travel. The farthest I drove to a closing was to Provincetown. For the most part, it's making people happy. People usually leave the table happy."

5. Was the bar exam as difficult as people say?
"On top of it, I was applying to Central while studying for the bar. The added stress, that was tough. At that point, you want it so badly, you're just about studying 24 hours a day."

6. Did you make it down to the Final Four when Maryland was playing (in 2002)?
"I didn't go. I stayed on campus. We had classes. I'm probably glad I didn't. I was on campus for the riots. I had never seen pepper spray sprayed out of a fire extinguisher. Kids were hanging from places, I don't know how they got up there."

7. Did you know any of the players from that era?
"The first player off the bench (Drew Nicholas), he had a big, big crush on my (freshman-year) roommate. He used to call all the time. (Later) I was a teaching assistant, he took the class."

8. Maryland basketball has a pretty notorious student section. Were you a part of it?
"I guess. We probably were not as notorious as they are now. I did the chants, held up the newspapers, but I never threw anything at opposing parents or the opposing bench. My brother's there now, I can't say the same for him." (Sullivan's brother Colin, a St. John's Prep graduate, is currently at UMD. He hosts "Sully's Sound-Off", a sports talk show on campus radio station WMUC).

9. You've been to both the Comcast Center and Cole Field House. Which one do you like better?
"I graduated at the Comcast, but Cole Field House, I'll always remember. When we took our first tour of Maryland at Cole Field House, I realized I wanted to go there. The (Wizards), with Chris Webber, were practicing down on the court. (I thought), 'I gotta come here.' My dad and I looked at each other. That pretty much sealed the deal."

Central Catholic Softball Preview

2007 record: 18-5, lost in Division 2 North semifinals

Returning starters (6): Lindsay Martin, Sr., CF; Monique Gosselin, Sr., SS; Chelsey Guselli, Sr., 3B; Carla Borrelli, Jr., P/1B; Tina Eringis, Jr., 2B; Lisa Policelli, Sr., LF

Central Catholic Baseball Preview

2007 record: 13-8, lost in Division 1 North first round

Returning starters (7): Michael Romano, Sr., INF/P; Chris Sartori, Sr., 1B; Ross Sarmento, Sr., 2B; Roberto Valenti, Sr., CF/P; Zak Adamopoulos, Jr., P/1B; Andrew Guyer, Jr., C/OF; Brendan Walsh, Jr., P/OF

Central Catholic Boys Lacrosse Preview

2007 record: 9-10, lost Division 2 East preliminaries

Returning starters (8): Patrick Helfrich, Sr., midfield; Chris Noyes, Sr., midfield; Preston Carmichael, Sr., midfield; Rob Caulk, Sr., midfield; Shain Jowett, Jr., midfield; Corey Hamilton, Sr., defense; Mike Tavares, Sr., defense; Eric Josephs, Jr., midfield

Yo Adrian, you did it

WORCESTER | In the perfect world, sure Adrian Gonzalez tones down the post-dunk strut last Monday on the Boston Garden parquet floor.

For the older set, that slam in the state semifinal final win over BC High was a bit over the edge. More than any other moment in a glorious three-plus seasons with the Raiders, that jam-and-ham act perfectly defines Gonzalez.

Perfect ending for a (nearly) perfect team

WORCESTER | St. John's of Shrewsbury coach Bob Foley almost did it about 20 minutes after his team was humbled by Central Catholic, 68-47, at the DCU Center last night.

He almost called Central perfect.

Same time, next year?

WORCESTER | Judging by the huge crowd yesterday, with nearly 6,000 of the 13,423 paid here yesterday packing the DCU Center for Central Catholic-St.John's, the MIAA wouldn't mind Raiders-Pioneers II for the 2009 state title matchup.

Pagan, seniors go out in style

WORCESTER | Central Catholic point guard Wilfredo Pagan had to take a moment to wipe a few tears from his eyes as he reflected on the game that had just ended.

"I'm living a dream," said Pagan. "From the start of our freshman year, we wanted to win a state championship. This was my last high school game, and you can't go out any better than that."

Central romps to state title

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WORCESTER, Mass. | The were no cheapies along the way here, Charlestown (ranked No. 1 in Eastern Mass.), No. 2 Lowell, No. 3 BC High, to name three truly high-powered victims.

Ryan Bourque lives on in the hearts of Central Catholic's players

This is my shot at glory, the skinny, blond-haired kid said to himself. Might as well make the most of it.

Central Catholic led Boston Latin by 18 points. Less than a minute remained. The game was nearly over.

Both Central and St. John's know how to win the close ones

Rick Nault enters today's state title with one goal.

Don't be high-school coaching's version of Dan Marino.

"He lost his one chance in the Super Bowl, and everyone just figured he'd be back seven or eight more times," said Nault, who leads Central Catholic into action tonight at 7:30 at the DCU Center against Central/West champ St. John's of Shrewsbury in the Division 1 state title game.

Coaching through the pain: Central's Nault whirlwind schedule includes teaching, coaching and helping his sons get well

LAWRENCE | If not for the large crucifix hanging high above the basketball court and the occasional clergyman who strolls by to check out the commotion, you might confuse what was happening at Central Catholic's famed gymnasium from 3:30 to 5 p.m. with "90 minutes of hell."

A defensive dissection of the defending champs

BOSTON | Fear, fatigue, pressure, attrition.

Boston College High School basketball coach Bill Loughnane felt those lethal symptoms eating away as his South champions in the second half last night.

There was nothing the architect of four state titles (last year at BC High, three at South Boston High) could do.

Desrosiers proves himself against the best

BOSTON | There are 6-foot-9 players and then there are legitimate 6-foot-9 players.

Central Catholic's Carson Desrosiers is legitimate in every sense of the word.

He's not one of these 6-7 guys who is listed as 6-9 to dupe the college recruiters. As a ballplayer, he proved any doubters last night that he's legit.

Animated Oshodi energizes Central

BOSTON | Central Catholic star guard Billy Marsden grinned widely at the mention of teammate KB Oshodi.

"I love that kid," said the junior. "All he does is bring high energy and intensity to the team whether it's a game or practice. He can shoot and he's athletic. He's just the best."

Power surge: Central heats up late, wins EMass. title

BOSTON | Picking the most enduring image from last night is impossible.

Is it Adrian Gonzalez soaring in to grab a rebound? Is it KB Oshodi closing in on a BC High guard like a free safety? Is it Billy Marsden sticking a long jumper?

Central meeting someone its own size in BC High

Not that the Central Catholic boys are bullies, it's just so infrequently that they get a chance to pick on someone their own size.

Tonight at 7:45, the Raiders, champions of Division 1 North at 23-2, get the opportunity to do just that when they step on the famed parquet floor at the TD Banknorth Garden and face off with South champ Boston College High (21-3).

Big Shot Billy's legend grows

LOWELL | KB Oshodi couldn't believe what he saw.

Before Central Catholic took the court at Tsongas Arena last night, Big Shot Billy Marsden was sweating bullets.

"Before the game, he told me he was nervous, but I don't think that's true," Oshodi said. "When he hits the court, he just has a different mindset."

Classic survival for Central

LOWELL | An epic disaster was brewing for Central Catholic before more than 5,500 fans in the Division 1 North final here at Tsongas Arena.

The Raiders, who were outscored 14-0 in a nearly seven-minute span from late in the third until 6:16 of the fourth quarter, simply wouldn't let it happen.

Hughes relishing final shot

LOWELL | "Can you hold this for a second?"

Lauren Hughes smiled and passed the Division 1 North trophy to her sister, Samantha.

Finally, the 5-foot-9 senior forward can give it back to big sis.

Five years after Samantha's three-point play with about a second left gave Andover a Division 1 state championship, the Golden Warriors are on the cusp of an Eastern Massachusetts title. And once again, a Hughes is leading the way.

THE BEAT GOES ON : Andover sprints past Central to punch its ticket to the Garden

LOWELL | Even normally vocal Andover forward Camille Fantini was at a loss for words.

“I can’t even describe the feeling,” said the senior. “This is what we have worked towards for four years and it is finally here. Now we have to keep doing our thing.”

Pagan drives Central on roller-coaster ride to Tsongas

The high points for Wilfredo Pagan are numerous:

• Eight points and 10 assists in the Greater Lawrence Christmas Tourney title win over Lawrence.

• A sparkling floor effort in the revenge win over Lowell.

Precocious freshmen playing key roles for Andover, Central

At age 7, Gabie Polce belted out the Star Spangled Banner at a Lowell Spinners game.

She claims neither the tryout process nor the actual performance frayed her nerves.

"After, it was a huge rush," she said. "I ran to my mom crying."

Central beats buzzer then topples top-ranked Charlestown in OT

Right now, the Charlestown High basketball braintrust is probably second-guessing its push to move last night's Division 1 North boys semifinal with Central Catholic out of Lawrence.

For the second straight year, the Raiders embraced Reading High like it was home, stunning the sectional's top seed, in this case the now 23-2 Townies, 74-63 in overtime to earn their sixth sectional final in the last eight years.

Central flies past Lexington into North final

With Central Catholic in the midst of a monster, game-clinching run, Katie Zenevitch dove for a loose ball like it was a 10-carat diamond. The play didn't actually factor much into the game's outcome, but it proved a point: The 6-foot-2 sophomore wasn't going to be denied.

Malden no match for Raiders

LAWRENCE | The Central Catholic boys faced their first postseason crisis, sloughing it off with ease in an 86-57 thumping of outclassed Malden before a packed house of 1,400 at Memorial Gym last night.

Acton-Boxboro is Dunn, Central topples top seed

Enduring a grueling regular season schedule makes the playoff successes that much sweeter.

As a member of the Merrimack Valley Conference with a tough non-league schedule, Central Catholic regularly plays the state's best teams.

Zenevitch powers Raiders ... once again

A pull-up jumper from the wing, crashing the boards down low, even tossing sharp passes to break a trap | Katie Zenevitch did it all for Central Catholic in its 74-48 romp over Lynn English in the opening round of the Division 1 North tournament.

Central's Gonzalez joins 1,000-point club

What was Adrian Gonzalez worried about?

He had it all the time. Literally.

Even though Gonzalez and Central Catholic thought he needed 16 points for 1,000 in his career, he really only needed a dozen in the Raiders' tourney-opening win over Acton-Boxboro last night.

Gonzalez, Central manhandle St. John's

Let the real season begin.

Central Catholic put the finishing touches on an impressive 19-2 regular-season campaign, dusting St. John's Prep in a 75-56 state tourney tune-up before about 1,000 fans last night at Memorial Gym.

Houston lifts Central to tie

Tim Houston scored two goals to give Central Catholic a 3-3 tie with a strong Tewksbury club. Jonathan Daniels added the other goal and Brendan Slein, Justin Kurek and Steve Balsamo each had an assist for the Raiders (6-10-5).

Tie elminates Central Catholic, delays Andover's title hopes

There was no celebration in the locker rooms last night. "There was a lot of emotion on both sides," said Andover coach Mario Martiniello. "Both teams had a goal they wanted to accomplish. There were a couple breakdowns and both teams took a few tough penalties."

Andover rallies to down Central, earn share of MVC title

LAWRENCE | Andover overcame a seven-point halftime to defeat Central Catholic 55-42. The win moved Andover to a 12-1 league record and gave the Golden Warriors a share of the Merrimack Valley Conference championship with 12-1 Lowell.

Reggies wallop Central to claim title

Senior heavyweight Chris Sharpe is understandably one of the overlooked members of the Greater Lawrence wrestling team.

His 23-6 record is more than respectable, but it doesn't match up with the likes of unbeaten Miguel Guzman (35-0 at 112), Franchesco Ortiz (35-0 at 119) or Chris DelaRosa (34-0 at 152), or even Matt Buco (35-1 at 103), Brian Nadeau (25-4 at 125) or Saul Orellana (32-2 at 135).

Division 2 North Sectional

Six days after the New England Patriots failed to make history, the Greater Lawrence wrestling team made a lot of it yesterday at the Division 2 North Sectional at Beverly High School.

The Reggies, who are the defending Division 2 dual-meet champions, overwhelmed the 12-team field to finish first with 278 points, placing seven in the finals, crowned four champions, placed all 14 wrestlers (top six) and advanced 12 to next week's Division 2 state meet at Reading.

Masco gets defensive, tops Central

LAWRENCE | Masconomet is playing with the kind of patience, discipline and quality that could ensure a deep run into the Division 2 playoffs.

In their first big road test of the season, the Chieftains confidently took the Central Catholic court and virtually owned it all afternoon. Making the Division 1 Raiders look more like the visitors, Masco led for the last 25 of the game's 32 minutes on route to a 56-50 victory, its 11th in a row and 13th in 14 games.

Central rolls past Andover

LAWRENCE | In a rare in-game meeting between opposing head coaches, Andover's Dave Fazio smiled and gave Central Catholic's Rick Nault a playful shove.

"I thought I had you," Fazio said.

It was late in the third quarter, and the Raiders had just crushed any hope of a full Golden Warriors comeback. Andover, Fazio conceded, just didn't have enough to stay with Central.

Concussions can't hold back Central's Slein

Central Catholic forward Brendan Slein knew the feeling all too well.

"We were playing Mount Saint Charles in a preseason scrimmage," he remembered. "I got hit three times really quick and I just started to feel queasy."

Gomez-Martinez on point for Andover

ANDOVER | Natalie Gomez-Martinez knew she messed up. With Andover putting the finishing touches on a 69-61 win over Central Catholic, she committed a foul she shouldn't have.

Arms up and incredulous, she turned to face Andover coach Jim Tildsley, who seemed to share the same emotion.

Concussions can't hold back Central's Slein

Central Catholic forward Brendan Slein knew the feeling all too well.

"We were playing Mount Saint Charles in a preseason scrimmage," he remembered. "I got hit three times really quick and I just started to feel queasy."

Central gets physical, KOs unbeaten Lowell

Central Catholic junior Billy Marsden may be known more for his jump shot than his physical play, but you might have a hard time convincing Lowell of that.

The 5-foot-10 Marsden, who played limited minutes in a 61-53 loss to Lowell just 11 days earlier because of an ailing ankle, slashed his way to 14 of his team-high 20 points in the second half, including 10 points in the pivotal fourth quarter, as Central (11-1, 8-1 MVC) knocked Lowell (13-1, 9-1) from the ranks of the unbeaten, 72-66.

Houston reaches century mark

When Tim Houston's second assist of Monday's game was announced, he and his teammates were busy playing out the final seconds of Central Catholic's 2-2 tie with Catholic Memorial, the No. 1-ranked team in Eastern Mass. But after the game, Houston had more to celebrate than the impressive tie.

Houston reaches century mark

When Tim Houston's second assist of Monday's game was announced, he and his teammates were busy playing out the final seconds of Central Catholic's 2-2 tie with Catholic Memorial, the No. 1-ranked team in Eastern Mass.

Tired Alesse exacts some revenge

NORTH ANDOVER | A year ago, Central Catholic goalie Mike Alesse was in net for the Raiders' 10-1 loss to Catholic Memorial in the first round of the Super 8 tournament.

So when CM appeared on the schedule this season, the senior netminder was anxious for a little redemption.

Central Catholic shocks top-ranked Catholic Memorial with tie

NORTH ANDOVER | As the horn sounded for the end of the game, Central Catholic's players flew over the boards and mugged goalie Mike Alesse in a celebration that was worthy of state championship victory.

Brien beats horn, gives Central tie with Andover