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NORTH ANDOVER — Westford's 7-2 run over the final four minutes to beat Central Catholic 49-42 in the Stephenson Division finals of the Commonwealth Motors Christmas Classic at Merrimack College.

Division 1 North Final

LOWELL — In another year, Central Catholic probably would have got onto the bus back to school last night as Division 1 North champs. The senior-laden Raiders roared back from a 27-12 deficit against an undefeated team and eventually got the lead at 43-42 following a three-point play by its best player last night, senior Amanda Williams. The problem was Lynn English’s best player, Catherine Stinson, scored five of her game-high 25 points to help end defending state champion Central’s season last night, 52-49. “I knew Central was going to come back. They always come back,” said Stinson. “That is one tough team. They’ve experienced winning (a state title) ... But we’re hungry, too.” Central appeared to be playing the Merrimack Valley Conference card, as soon as the game started, running off five straight points and holding Lynn English scoreless for nearly four minutes. But then Lynn English (25-0) showed its “undefeated” self running off 14 straight points, coupled with two fouls on Central’s star guard, Courtney Walsh, as the quarter ended. Central was a mess, falling behind by 15 points when coach Sue Downer called a timeout. “I just told them we had to keep fighting,” said Downer, whose team finishes 21-2 a year after winning the state title. “We were giving up too many easy offensive rebounds and putbacks. We just needed to play tougher, box out and settle down.” Central’s comeback was not immediate. It was more methodical. Four 3-pointers, two by Alex Nagri and Walsh, with Williams becoming more of a force down low. Central got the lead on three occasions, the last of which was on Caitlin Dell’Orfano’s 3-pointer (48-46) with 3:30 left in the game. But that was Central’s last stand. Central turned the ball over five times in its last six possessions and was able to get only one free throw the rest of the way. Central had the ball with 11.5 seconds remaining in the game but couldn’t get off a potential game-tying 3-pointer in the final seconds. The loss ended an incredible four years for Nagri, Walsh, Dell’Orfano and Williams, who scored 47 of Central’s 49 points. All four played varsity from Day 1 at Central. “That’s the hard part, thinking about this being the end for those incredible young women,” said Downer. “They all fought until the end and with a few breaks could be playing (at the TD Garden) on Monday.” Nagri, who is expected to be a point guard at Suffolk University next year, had one of her best games of her career during crunch time, hitting all of her 3-pointers in the second half. “We really wanted this. We didn’t want it to end this way,” said Nagri “I am so proud of every senior. We are very close and have been through a lot. We just ran into a team that wanted it as much as we did. Lynn English was for real.”

Division 1 North Final

LOWELL — In another year, Central Catholic probably would have got onto the bus back to school last night as Division 1 North champs. The senior-laden Raiders roared back from a 27-12 deficit against an undefeated team and eventually got the lead at 43-42 following a three-point play by its best player last night, senior Amanda Williams. The problem was Lynn English’s best player, Catherine Stinson, scored five of her game-high 25 points to help end defending state champion Central’s season last night, 52-49. “I knew Central was going to come back. They always come back,” said Stinson. “That is one tough team. They’ve experienced winning (a state title) ... But we’re hungry, too.” Central appeared to be playing the Merrimack Valley Conference card, as soon as the game started, running off five straight points and holding Lynn English scoreless for nearly four minutes. But then Lynn English (25-0) showed its “undefeated” self running off 14 straight points, coupled with two fouls on Central’s star guard, Courtney Walsh, as the quarter ended. Central was a mess, falling behind by 15 points when coach Sue Downer called a timeout. “I just told them we had to keep fighting,” said Downer, whose team finishes 21-2 a year after winning the state title. “We were giving up too many easy offensive rebounds and putbacks. We just needed to play tougher, box out and settle down.” Central’s comeback was not immediate. It was more methodical. Four 3-pointers, two by Alex Nagri and Walsh, with Williams becoming more of a force down low. Central got the lead on three occasions, the last of which was on Caitlin Dell’Orfano’s 3-pointer (48-46) with 3:30 left in the game. But that was Central’s last stand. Central turned the ball over five times in its last six possessions and was able to get only one free throw the rest of the way. Central had the ball with 11.5 seconds remaining in the game but couldn’t get off a potential game-tying 3-pointer in the final seconds. The loss ended an incredible four years for Nagri, Walsh, Dell’Orfano and Williams, who scored 47 of Central’s 49 points. All four played varsity from Day 1 at Central. “That’s the hard part, thinking about this being the end for those incredible young women,” said Downer. “They all fought until the end and with a few breaks could be playing (at the TD Garden) on Monday.” Nagri, who is expected to be a point guard at Suffolk University next year, had one of her best games of her career during crunch time, hitting all of her 3-pointers in the second half. “We really wanted this. We didn’t want it to end this way,” said Nagri “I am so proud of every senior. We are very close and have been through a lot. We just ran into a team that wanted it as much as we did. Lynn English was for real.”

LAWRENCE — Madison Borrelli pumped her fist during a brief and well-earned celebration with 2:54 left in the contest. She had just driven to the basket and made her layup while getting fouled.
The basket put Central Catholic ahead for the first time since early in the second quarter and capped a tremendous comeback after the defending state champion Raiders appeared on the verge of elimination.
If Central Catholic fans didn’t receive enough drama during the boys’ overtime victory over St. John’s Prep on Tuesday, then they bit the remainder of their nails off last night.
Down 12 points with 1:41 remaining in the third quarter, the second-seeded Raiders rallied for a thrilling 49-43 victory over third-seeded Masconomet in the semifinals of the Division 1 North playoffs at Lawrence High.
“I was just so excited because we were finally up in the game,” Borrelli said about her first pump. “And I wasn’t making my shots and it just felt great.”  
Central advanced to the Division 1 North final. It will play Woburn or Lynn English on Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Tsongas Center.  
Borelli scored nine second-half points and completed her three-point play with 2:54 left to put Central ahead 43-40. That came right after Amanda Williams’ completed a three-point play with 3:33 remaining to tie it.
Borrelli, Williams, Courtney Walsh and Caitlin Dell’Orfano all produced in a huge way offensively in the second half.
But the offense came when Central began to full-court press Masconomet.
Masco couldn’t handle the pressure, throwing balls away, traveling and missing baskets. In all, the Chieftains scored just six points in the final 9:40 of the contest.
“We win games by defense so we just had to get one stop at a time,” Borrelli said. “I was doing anything I could to get that defensive stop. And I know we all worked together to get it.”
Masco’s defense was the story for most of the game. The Chieftains used a double-team against Williams down low and caused the high-powered Central offense to score just four points in the second quarter and 16 points through the first 20:04 of the game.
The Raiders didn’t score their first second-half basket until 4:04 into the third period.
But when it mattered most, Central’s defense was better.
“None of us had a doubt in our mind that we were going to win this game coming into it,” Dell’Orfano said. “Our defense creates our offense. That’s our motto. That’s how we get going. That’s how we get our points. Offense should be easy for us.”
Despite being covered pretty well with 1:25 left in the game and Central ahead four points, Dell’Orfano kept calling loudly for her teammates to pass her the ball. Dell’Orfano did receive a quick pass and drove in from the 3-point line for a layup to make it 46-40.
“She’s a senior, she’s so experienced and she wanted it so bad,” Borrelli said. “She wanted to do it before Al (Alex Nagri) because Al had four fouls and we knew we had to get this for her.”
With 7.3 seconds left and her team up four points, Borrelli sealed it with two free throws.
“We all contribute every game: our four seniors especially and especially our sophomore, Madison Borrelli, tonight,” Dell’Orfano said.
Central Catholic 49, Masconomet 43
  Division 1 North Semifinals
Masconomet (43): Nicole Femino 4-0-8, Meghan Collins 2-0-4, Megan Letvinchuk 1-0-3, Hannah Kiernan 8-1-19, Kate Kitsakos 0-3-3, Lexie Nason 0-0-0, Stephanie Mini 2-2-6. Totals 17-6-43
Central Catholic (49):  Courtney Walsh 4-1-10, Alex Nagri 0-4-4 , Amanda Williams 6-3-15, Toni Joy 0-0-0, Madison Borrelli 2-5-9, Colleen Frey 0-0-0, Caitlin Dell’Orfano 4-3-11. Totals 16-16-49
3-pointers: M - Kiernan 2, Letvinchuk; CC — Walsh
Masconomet (21-2):    13 11 13  6 — 43
Central Catholic (21-1):    12  4 15 18 — 49

LAWRENCE — In a defensive-oriented game loaded with steals, turnovers and fouls, it was an innocent traveling call on Central Catholic that might have been biggest play of the game. Central defeated Peabody, 59-41, last night to advance to the Division 1 North semifinals against Masconomet Regional, which beat Andover High, 49-45, in Topsfield last night. But the final score doesn’t tell the story. Not even close. With Central leading 37-33 and Peabody with all of the momentum with 1:52 remaining in the third quarter, Central’s No. 1 star last night, Amanda Williams, was called for traveling. It came immediately after she took a pass and turned up court. The key part of the play was her elbow grazed the left eye of Peabody’s No. 1 star last night, 6-foot-2 senior Carolyn Scacchi. Blood started dripping out. She had a three-inch gash and was forced to leave the game and get bandaged up. Central immediately scored six straight point before a last-second hoop closed the quarter at 43-35. Scacchi returned to the game early in the fourth quarter as Peabody roared back, trailing 44-40, thanks to a Scacchi free throw and jumper. But when blood started dripping down Scacchi’s face, she had to leave the game again and head back to the trainer’s room. Peabody’s legendary coach Jane Heil called a timeout, hoping Scacchi would be back. She never returned and Central took full advantage, running off 13 straight points. Scacchi led all scorers with 19 points, despite missing most of the second half. “I feel for Carolyn and Peabody,” said Central coach Sue Downer. “You hate to see that, especially a player like her. She was killing us. We definitely were able to take advantage when she was out.” Central’s defense and Williams deserve some kudos, too. With Alex Nagri leading the defensive charge, Peabody had trouble getting the ball over half-court. Williams had 12 of her 17 points in the second half. With Courtney Walsh on the bench in the first half with two fouls for most of the first half, senior Caitlin Dell’Orfano carried the load with 14 of her 17 points. In the end, it wasn’t pretty, but Central’s defense delivered during crunch time. Peabody didn’t convert on one 3-pointer the entire game. “It was a great game for our defense overall,” said Downer. “(Scacchi) went coast to coast and scored on a layup. That’s unacceptable. But I’ve told the girls that everything we do is based on playing tough defense. Our offense starts with our defense.” Central 59, Peabody 41 Peabody (41): Alperin 0-1-1, A.Lomansney 2-2-6, Hosman 3-2-8, Matthews 1-0-2, Summitt 2-1-5, Scacchi 9-1-19, Totals 17-7-41 Central Catholic (59): Courtney Walsh 2-0-4, Alex Nagri 2-1-7, Amanda Williams 6-5-17, Joy Toni 1-0-2, Madison Borrelli 0-2-2, Natasha Santana 0-2-2, Caitlin Dell’Orfano 6-4-17, Halle Tierney 1-0-2, Nicole Wiggins 1-4-6, Totals 20-17-59 Peabody (16-6): 9-12-14-6—41 Central (20-1): 12-16-15-16—59 3-pointers: P — none; CC — Dell’Orfano 2, Nagri 2

2013-14 GIRLS BASKETBALL Andover .... 16-6, D1N quarters; Brooks ... 3-18; Central Catholic ..... 21-2 D1N final Fellowship......, 3-16 tourney, Georgetown ... , 6-16 no tourney Greater Lawrence ...., 14-8, D4N quarters; most wins and 1st tourney win since 17-7 '07 D4N semis Haverhill .... 2-18 no tourney; Lawrence .... 8-12 no tourney Londonderry....... 21-3 D1 champ (inc 2-0 Xmas) John Fagula retires a legend; snap def. champ Bedford 39-game win streak;   Methuen .... didn't make; North Andover ... 11-10, D1N first round; North Reading .... 12-10, D3N quarters Notre Dame ... 8-6 MIAA, lost D4N 1st round; Pelham....... 6-16 lost D2 1st round Pentucket ..... 17-7, D2N quarters; 8 years won 1 title and other 7x lost to team which later won title Phillips ....6-13; Pinkerton....15-8 D1 semis (inc 0-2 Xmas); PMA ....... 5-11 no tourney; Salem ... 14-7 D1 1st round losst 5-12 game (inc 1-1 Xmas); Sanborn......1-17; Timberlane .....0-18 no tourney Whittier .... 17-7, D4N quarters; Windham .....10-11 D2 1st round (inc 0-2 Xmas

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..........................           DIVISION 1 NORTH        .......................... SEEDS: 1. Lynn English 22-0, 2. Central 19-1 ... 59-41 Peabody, 49-43 Masco, ... L 52-49 Lynn English North final...CC trailed 27-12 but took lead 43-42; CC turnovers 5 of last 6 poss; 3. Masco 19-1, 4. Woburn 18-2, 5. Chelmsford 17-3, 6. Andover 15-5 ...66-45 Classical: L 52-47 Masco quarters,

1. Peabody 15-5, 8. North Andover 11-9...L 53-38 Billerica 1st round, 9. Billerica 11-9, 10. Reading 10-10, 11. Lynn Classical 11-11, 12. Reading 10-10, 13. Somerville 9-11, 14. Cambridge 7-13

..........................          DIVISION 2 NORTH        .......................... SEEDS: 1. Watertown 19-1, 2. Bedford 18-4, 3. AC 17-4, 4. Wilmington 16-4, 5. Ham-Wenham 15-5, 6. Pentucket 16-6... 66-43 Danvers, L 59-35 AC quarters,

1. Tewksbury 14-6, 8. N'port 13-7, 9. Marblehead 12-8, 10. Wakefield 12-8, 11. Danvers 11-9, 12. Stoneham 10-10, 13. Dracut 10-10

..........................         DIVISION 3 NORTH        .......................... SEEDS: 1. St. Mary 19-2, 2. Winthrop 19-3, 3. Southie 16-3, 4. Lynnfield 16-4, 5. Fenwick 12-7, 6. Man-Essex 12-8, 7. North Reading 11-9.. 71-43 Latin Acad...L 48-27 Winthrop quarters, 8. Charlestown 9-8, 9. Brighton 10-9, 10. Latin Acad 9-9, 11. Ipswich 9-9

..........................        DIVISION 4 NORTH        .......................... SEEDS: 1. Fenway 16-2, 2. Pope John 17-3, 3. New Mission 14-3, 4. Mystic Valley 15-5, 5. St. Joseph 14-5, 6. Maimonides 10-4, 7. Whittier (14-6...played extra games)..58-39 Shawsheen, L 69-61 New Mission quarters,

1. Greater Lawrence 13-7 .... 54-39 ND Lawrence; L 71-25 in quarters to Fenway, ...... 9. ND-Lawrence (8-5 MIAA) L Reggies 54-39 1st round, 10. St. Clement 12-8, 11. Shawsheen 12-8, 12. Lowell Cath 12-8, 13. North Shore 10-9, 14. Minuteman 10-10, 15. Rockport 9-9, 16. Matignon 7-13, 17. Austin 5-13

..........................        N.H. DIVISION 1        .......................... SEEDINGS: 1. Bedford 19-0, 2. Londonderry 15-3 ....Exeter 82-25, Winnacunnet 71-43, Pink 42-38; finals 57-56 def. champ Bedford, 3. BG 14-4, 4. North 14-4, 5. Salem 13-5 L Dover 65-49 1st round, .......... 6. Pinkerton 13-5...MC 43-27, BG 52-48, L semis Londonderry 42-38 .., 7. Winnacunnet 12-6, 8. Trinity 11-7,

1. Memorial 11-7, 10. Alvirne 10-8, 11. Man Central 8-10, 12. Dover 8-10, 13. Spaulding 6-12, 14. Merrimack 5-13, 15. Exeter 4-14, 16. Keene 4-14 ... also Timberlane 0-18

..........................        N.H. DIVISION 2        .......................... SEEDINGS: 1. Milford 16-2, 2. Hanover 16-2, 3. Souhegan 14-4, 4. Merr Valley 14-4. 5. Lebanon 13-5, 6. Coe-Brown 13-5, 7. Portsmouth 12-6, 8. Pembroke 12-6,

1. Windham 10-8 .... L first round Pembroke, 10. Goffstown 10-8, 11. Hollis-Brookline 9-9, 12. Oyster River 8-10, 13. St. Thomas 7-11, 14. Kingswood 6-12, 15. Pelham 5-13... L 1st round Hanover, 16. Plymouth 5-13

..........................         N.H. DIVISION 3               .................................. SEEDINGS: 1. Newfound 17-1, 2. Brady 16-2, 3. Campbell 16-2, 4. Fall Mt. 16-2.......................... also Sanborn 1-17

Behind a game-high 18 points for tourney MVP Amanda Williams and 10 points for tourney all-star Casey Walsh, Central Catholic rolled over Boston Latin 52-38 in the finals of the IAABO tourney. Alex Nagri added eight poins for the winners.

Central Catholic beat Lowell 66-44. The Raiders improved to 15-1, remained unbeaten in the league and clinched the MVC Large title. Alex Nagri scored a season-high 16 points, Amanda Williams tossed in 15 and Madison Borrelli pulled down 12 rebounds.

Courtney Walsh was in a giving mood, dishing out eight assists and adding 13 points for Central Catholic in its 64-38 win over Chelmsford. Amanda Williams paced the Raiders with 24 points.