RallyNorth.net

Big Shot Billy appears just in time; Central advances

Tuesday, March, 03 By Hector Longo
Staff writer

LAWRENCE - Was it the seat, no-look over-the-heard pass to Benny Fernandez?

Or maybe the cute little pullup "J" to give Central Catholic a 48-42 lead heading into the fourth quarter?

Something awoke "Big Shot Billy," the steely-eyed, state-tournament alter-ego of Central senior guard Billy Marsden. From that second on Lynn Classical's once-healthy upset hopes were crushed.

The Merrimack Valley Conference co-MVP Marsden knocked in 7 of 11 second-half shots, matching his career postseason high of 30 as No. 1 Central ran away from the eighth-seeded Rams, 72-58, before a packed house of around 2,000 in the Division 1 North quarterfinals.

Fourteen of his points and four of his six three-pointers came in the fourth where Central finally shook loose, earning a semifinal date tomorrow night in Reading (7 p.m.) against No. 5 Everett.

"He's carried us in state tournament games," said Raider coach Rick Nault. "This is typical Billy, for him to take the game into his hands and make plays and make shots. He had it going tonight."

Marsden's heroics were absolutely needed, what with Classical assassin Jarell Byrd (24 points) imposing his will on the home team.

First, Central had to tend to its affairs on the defensive end.

Once the Raiders did that, holding Classical scoreless over the first 4:30 of the second half, it freed up Marsden and Co. to take charge.

With Carson Desrosiers on the bench with three fouls, Benny Fernandez had a crucial offensive rebound hoop carving out some air space among the Lynn skywalkers.

Junior Mike Alvarez answered a Byrd three with one of his own early in the fourth, pushing the lead to eight.
And sophomore Jimmy Zenevitch (14 points) made the Rams pay for their inattention to detail, with a pair of layins.

But the fourth belonged to Marsden, who added to the amazing tourney legacy.

"I hit one three, and when I hit the second (in the fourth), I knew it was going to be a good night," said Marsden, who overcame a 4 of 12 first-half. "I got myself in a rut in the first half. I forced up a couple shots. Carson was getting double-teamed and it was frustrating. We had to find another go-to guy."

That go-to guy only missed once in the fourth. By that time, Classical was pretty much dead.

Desrosiers, the meat in a Ram sandwich all night long, still inflicted his usual damage with 13 points on 6 of 9 shooting, adding 15 rebounds, six blocks, two steals and three assists.

Central now gets just one day to focus on a meat-grinder of a basketball team in Everett, as big and physical a team as the 22-1 Raiders have seen.