RallyNorth.net

LAWRENCE | Tristian Shannon's nose must be made of iron.

With 6:42 remaining in the fourth quarter, he got whacked in the face, but still made a driving layup to extend an already sizable Andover lead.

LAWRENCE | Too easy.

Even without leading scorer Billy Marsden (sprained ankle), Central Catholic's boys, the No. 1 ranked team in the region, made it look too easy offensively, shredding Lawrence High's scrambling defense in an 81-55 thrashing last night before a packed house of about 1,200 at Memorial Gymnasium.

As Central Catholic players leaped into a pile after capturing the school's 10th Greater Lawrence Christmas Tournament title last night, they were undoubtedly already feeling the effects of the physical beating that Lawrence gave them.

Methuen High made plenty of headway in slowing down Lawrence's beefy big men, Mariano Fortunato and Jorge Escoto.

But the Rangers, gritty as can be, had no such solution when it came to Lancer point guard Justin Nieves.

It's early in the season, but Lawrence has shown it's a team that on the right night can beat most anybody and on the wrong night is vulnerable against anybody.

Pinkerton had the Lancers on the ropes in yesterday's Greater Lawrence Christmas Tourney opener. Trailing 37-24 at the half, Lawrence coach Paul Neal knew if his club didn't change something, it was in big trouble.

At least Lawrence High coach Paul Neal was honest with himself and his team.

"I think we had more turnovers than shot attempts," said Neal, whose youthful Lancers led much of the way but ultimately fell to East Boston, 66-62, last night.

2006-07 record: 15-6, lost in Division 1 North first round

Returning starters: None

Returning lettermen: Justin Nieves, 5-7, Jr., guard, Mariano Fortunato, 6-3, Sr., forward; Jeffrey Matos, 6-2, Sr., forward; Ruby Lara, 6-3, Sr., forward; Jorge Escoto, 6-4, Jr., forward; Jason Pimentel, 5-11, Soph., guard; Jose Barrera, 5-10, Soph., guard; Junior Veras, 6-0, Sr., forward Newcomers: Kurt Barnes, 5-7, Jr., guard; Shyem Simms, 6-0, Sr., forward; Demetri Brown, 6-2, Jr., forward; Alex Diaz, 5-7, Frosh., guard; Kadeem Perez, 5-5, Frosh., guard; Jesse Hiraldo, 6-0, Frosh., forward