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McLaughlin return sparks Central upset

Tuesday, February, 28 By Jeff Hamrick
Staff writer

BILLERICA — After a regular season riddled with injuries and inconsistency, the Central Catholic girls, for at least one night, walked off the court with hopes of an optimistic future.

The return of Eagle Tribune super teamer Casey McLaughlin spurred the 12th-seeded Raiders upset of fifth-seeded Billerica 63-57 last night in the first round of the Division 1 North Sectional.

McLaughlin, who started for the first time since injuring her knee in a loss to No. 1 Andover on Jan. 5, scored a team-high 17 points, including the final five from the line in the final 28 seconds. With Courtney Walsh scoring 16 and Amanda Williams (13) and Alex Borrelli (12) also in double figures, the Raiders dislayed the kind of balance needed for a postseason run.

“It was a really good complete win I thought,” said Central coach Sue Downer, whose squad had lost four of its previous six. “Now everything is possible, and that’s what we’ve told the team this postseason.”

The 63-point total was the second highest mark of the season for the Raiders (13-8) and most since a 71-42 win over Lowell on Dec. 27. It also was only the fourth time Central topped the 60-point mark.

Last night, it was a 38-point first-half that set the tone as Walsh scored 14 of her points and Borrelli added 10 of hers. Each had two of Central’s five treys before intermission.

“I think Casey coming back was a huge emotional lift,” said Downer, who has three sophomores in the starting lineup and only played one senior (Borrelli) last night.  “The young kids respect her immensely and her presence on the court was huge tonight. Whatever she was doing out there was positive.”

Central opened its biggest lead when a layup by McLaughlin provided a 40-25 advantage 20 seconds into the third quarter. But Billerica, which defeated the Raiders twice by a combined 36 points in the regular season, scored 11 of the final 15 points in the third to cut its deficit to 44-37 entering the fourth.

In the final period, Billerica closed to within four with 3 minutes left, but Central got contributions from everyone down the stretch to hold off the Indians (17-4). Williams twice had put-back buckets and had a huge steal while Alex Nagri drew a huge charge when Billerica could have cut its deficit to two. But it was Walsh (two free throws with 39.1 seconds back) and McLaughlin from the line who sealed the deal.

“It felt good,” said McLaughlin, who did get a few minutes in Central’s regular-season finale. “I’ve been waiting a long time to come back. I was a little rusty, but my team helped me. We all came together."