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Carson Desrosiers checked in with a triple-double, finishing with 10 points, 10 blocks and 15 rebounds in Central Catholic boys basketball's 69-50 win over Dracut. Michael Alvarez chipped in 14 points for the Raiders.

Methuen kept it close through two quarters, trailing 28-21 at the close of the first half, but Central Catholic dominated play the rest of the way to earn a 69-37 victory. Central had three players score at least 15 points with Billy Marsden (18), Michael Alvarez (18) and Carson Desrosiers (15) combining to drain eight 3-pointers (four for Alvarez, and two apiece for Marsden and Desrosiers). Desrosiers added 14 boards, 3 assists and 2 blocks. Methuen's Edwin Gonzalez nailed a pair of treys for 6 of his 8 points, and Mike Gorman chipped in a team-high 9 points.

Carson Desrosiers swatted away 13 Tewksbury shots and just missed a triple double in leading Central Catholic to a 64-39 win. Desrosiers scored 12 and pulled in nine rebounds for the 10-1 Raiders. Billy Marsden led Central with 16 points and Jimmy Zenevitch added 11.

SPRINGFIELD – More than a handful of the nation’s top teams gathered for the Spalding HoopHall Classic.

HAVERHILL - Upset-minded Haverhill High stretched Central Catholic, at times extending the No. 1 Raiders to their limit. "They spread it out offensively to try and keep Carson (Desrosiers) away from the basket," said a relieved coach Rick Nault after his Raiders fended off a furious band of Hillies, 78-60. "They forced him to defend on the perimete, and they were hitting everything in the first half. They have five guys who can shoot it and they make us play out on the perimeter and make our guys go out and play them." The strategy reaped rewards like no other team has exacted against the unbeaten visitors to a packed and electric Mansfield Gymnasium on "Bobby Costello Night." For the first time all year, Central trailed at the break, 37-35. But there was a price to be paid as well, and Desrosiers punished the Hillies when it mattered most. The 6-foot-10 junior saw single coverage and chewed through the Hillies in the most devastating night of his young career. Desrosiers, unleashing an arsenal of dead-on turnaround jumpers, hit 16 of 23 from the floor in a 34-point, 19-rebound performance. "When somebody plays you one on one, you have to make them pay," said Desrosiers. "Coach said I have to shoot more. I certainly did in this game." How all-out? How hard did the Hillies push the reigning state champs? Both Desrosiers and All-Scholastic guard Billy Marsden (20 points, 6 boards) played all 32 minutes for the Raiders, who'll get a night's sleep then head off to Springfield this morning for a 1:30 p.m. tip with one of the nation's top programs, American Heritage High of Plantation, Fla., in the Hall of Fame Classic tournament. "We'll be fine," said Desrosiers. "It's a game we've been looking forward to for a while. We'll be pumped and we won't be tired at all." Haverhill had the home folks rocking early. It seemed like the Hillies couldn't miss, knocking in 9 of 14 three-point tries in the first half alone. "This was a good test for us. We haven't been down like that (32-23 with three minutes left in the half) all year," said Desrosiers. "It was good for us to have to fight back and win." Facing the deficit, Central didn't panic, and Desrosiers, with his play of course, simply said, "enough of this." In a statement-making third quarter, Desrosiers score eight of Central's 14 points, grabbed five boards and added a block and a no-look assist to Michael Garcia for a layin. Almost as if he was summoned for the close, Marsden nailed all four of his threes in the final quarter as Central, up 49-42 with eight minutes left, went for and got the kill. Haverhill coach Mike Trovato had to be pleased with the effort, even though the long-range onslaught ground to a halt in the five-point third. "The kids fought," said Trovato. "They're a phenomenal team. I mean, look at a kid like Carson, he's going to be a pro. To beat them, you have to play a perfect game. We did for a half. In the third, we just didn't make any shots. We definitey got better tonight, though." Josh Maisonett paced 5-4 Haverhill with 18 points, and Javier Bristol buried five triples for his 15 points. Gritty Charlie Roche added 14, despite a brush with some foul trouble, and Dennis Driftmeyer had 11.  

Carson Desrosiers had 15 points, seven assists, and five blocks as Central Catholic crusied past Chelmsford, 60-31. Senior guard, Billy Marsden, dropped 16 for the Raiders including their only 3-pointer.

LAWRENCE - To say that Lawrence High failed to take advantage of a sluggish Central Catholic start would be understating things more than just a little.

With Central stuck in neutral early, the Lancer offense locked down in reverse.

LAWRENCE — For every question Andover presented, Central Catholic had an answer.

Clog up the paint and double-team monster junior Carson Desrosiers? Then fluid point guard Billy Marsden prowls the perimeter for open shots and Jimmy Zenevitch gobbles up weak-side misses for easy putbacks. Pressure Marsden from end line to end line? Then senior Benny Fernandez steps in to help, deftly dribbling the ball up or feeding Desrosiers at midcourt to create odd-man fast-breaks.

LAWRENCE — For every question Andover presented, Central Catholic had an answer.

Clog up the paint and double-team monster junior Carson Desrosiers? Then fluid point guard Billy Marsden prowls the perimeter for open shots and Jimmy Zenevitch gobbles up weak-side misses for easy putbacks. Pressure Marsden from end line to end line? Then senior Benny Fernandez steps in to help, deftly dribbling the ball up or feeding Desrosiers at midcourt to create odd-man fast-breaks.

LAWRENCE – Greater Lawrence Christmas Tournament championship No. 11 for Central Catholic was one for the “What if?” crowd.

You know, they’ve been asking all week: