RallyNorth.net

Reggies pay price giant upset of Fenwick

Thursday, February, 19 By Hector Longo
Staff writer

WEST ANDOVER - Victory, even one this resounding, came at a gigantic price.
For 29 minutes, Greater Lawrence Tech outclassed Bishop Fenwick. The final three minutes, even with the Reggies holding on in the regular-season finale, 65-57, were a flirtation with disaster.
With 2:31 left, spectacular Reggies sophomore Donald Celestin went down in a tumble with Fenwick's Brett DiPanfilo. Celestin got up and kicked/stepped on DiPanfilo, drawing a technical and an ejection. The team's leading scorer at 16.6 points a game, will now miss next week's Division 3 North tourney quarterfinal opener.
Considering this week conquests over previously 18-1 Fenwick, ranked 16th overall in Eastern Mass., and Cape Ann Small champ North Reading, the Reggies are regarded as a serious contender.
"We talk about depth all year long and how the kids have to help us out," said coach Dan Habib. "Now we need the team to get Donald a second chance. He made a mistake out frustration. Stuff happens. Hopefully we can overcome."
The late incident put a damper on what could only be considered a monster effort by Greater Lawrence Tech. Fenwick, with 6-foot-7 human double-double Mike Clifford (27.7 ppg.), came into this one fresh off Monday's victory over Division 1 rival St. John's Prep.
And Greater Lawrence dominated from the opening tap and the game's first hoop, a thunderous lefthanded Celestin slam.
"Three minutes can't tarnish the whole game, we played our (backsides) off," added Habib. "We came out in charge, withstood their charge, and our kids persevered. It was a great game.
Holding Clifford to 18 points and 10 rebounds, the Reggies got blue-collar work from big men Brian Cabrera and Francisco Reyes. Habib also had the rest of his crew collapsing whenever possible.
On the edge, guards Kelvin Correa (17 points) and Erick Polanco, among others, forced a slew of Fenwick turnovers, keeping the Reggies in their comfort zone ... that is, on the run.
The Crusaders got as close as three, 36-33, in the third quarter.
Celestin, who finished with 17 points, elevated over the massive Clifford for a southpaw banker, and Polanco's theft and layin added some cushion.
Finally, a Yeltsin Colon 15-footer, Valdez' follow and two Correa hoops had Fenwick reeling.
Colon finished off a big week in style. A monster on the glass against North Reading, the steady junior added 13 points in the complementary role yesterday.
"Yeltsin has been an unsung hero," said Habib. "He doesn't get a lot of the credit, but he's been scoring some big points and grabbing the key rebounds for us."
Habib will need more of the same once the postseason commences without Celestin.
A possible opener with Wilmington or Wayland looms on the horizon.
"We're going to be OK,I think," said the coach.