RallyNorth.net

Sophomore Owen O'Leary delivered a career-best 1:10.75 to win the backstroke and swam on the winning 400 freestyle relay team but Central Catholic fell to St. John's of Shrewsbury, 96-84.

WORCESTER — The clock ticked just five times, but it seemed like an eternity for everyone in attendance.

“Those last five second felt like about an hour,” said Central Catholic forward Jimmy Zenevitch. “It was just unbelievable.”

Edwin Alfonso and Mike Eyssi both bumped up a weight class and had impressive pins to lead Methuen to a 48-27 win over St. John's of Shrewsbury on Christmas Eve.

The Pinkerton boys made it 2-0 on the day in Astros lacrosse action as they topped St. John's of Shrewsbury, 10-6, to remain perfect at 10-0. Brian Estes led the way with a hat trick, Tom Auger (two goals, assist) had three points, and Conor McCarthy chipped in a pair of goals. Steve Wolenski limited the Pioneers to just one second-half goal after they had struck for five in the opening two quarters.

North Andover's Kelley Johnson, a senior tri-captain, scored his first goal of the season for St. John's Prep as they tied defending Div. 1 state champion St. John's of Shrewsbury. Haverhill product John Woelfe was also singled out by coach Dave Crowell as having a strong game.

The Eagles (3-1) plated eight runs in the seventh inning to break open what had been a tight game and win 14-3.

Though the Prep led 4-3 after one inning, Metheun was gathering steam. Senior Matt Warden came on to pitch the game's final five innings and allowed only one baserunner with five strikeouts in a difference-making performance.

WORCESTER | St. John's of Shrewsbury coach Bob Foley almost did it about 20 minutes after his team was humbled by Central Catholic, 68-47, at the DCU Center last night.

He almost called Central perfect.

WORCESTER | Judging by the huge crowd yesterday, with nearly 6,000 of the 13,423 paid here yesterday packing the DCU Center for Central Catholic-St.John's, the MIAA wouldn't mind Raiders-Pioneers II for the 2009 state title matchup.

WORCESTER | Central Catholic point guard Wilfredo Pagan had to take a moment to wipe a few tears from his eyes as he reflected on the game that had just ended.

"I'm living a dream," said Pagan. "From the start of our freshman year, we wanted to win a state championship. This was my last high school game, and you can't go out any better than that."

xt [4088]: WORCESTER, Mass. | The were no cheapies along the way here, Charlestown (ranked No. 1 in Eastern Mass.), No. 2 Lowell, No. 3 BC High, to name three truly high-powered victims.