RallyNorth.net

Central Catholic Boys Basketball Preview

2006-07 record: 19-6, Division 1 North finalist

Returning starters (4): Adrian Gonzalez, 6-5, Sr., forward; Wilfredo Pagan, 5-10, Sr., guard; Billy Marsden, 5-10, Jr., guard; Tim Wheeler, 6-4, Jr., forward

Returning lettermen: Carson Desrosiers, 6-9, Soph., center; Walson Constant, 5-10, Sr., guard; KB Oshodi, 6-1, Sr., guard; Rory Blinn, 6-2, Sr., forward; Justin Narbonne, 5-10, Sr., guard

Newcomers: Michael Garcia, 6-2, Jr., forward; Benny Fernandez, 5-10, Jr., guard; Zak Adamopoulos, 6-1, Jr., forward; Mike Alvarez, 6-1, Soph., guard; Jose Pena, 6-5, Jr., center

Candidates in all grades: 112

Captains: Adrian Gonzalez, Wilfredo Pagan

Returning leaders: Adrian Gonzalez, 15.7 ppg, 9 rpg; Billy Marsden, 9.0 ppg, 29 3-pointers; Tim Wheeler, 6.9 ppg; Walson Constant, 4.6 ppg, 15 3-pointers Returning honorees: Adrian Gonzalez, two-time Eagle-Tribune All-Star

Assistants: Tom Sipsey, John Sexton; Scott Armstrong (JV); Kevin McCarthy (Frosh.)

Opener: Hosts Billerica Dec. 18

Odds and ends: Central has gone 3-1 in North title games over the last five years ... Last year's semifinal loss to Lawrence ended a run of 11 straight Christmas Tourney finals for the Raiders ... Adrian Gonzalez, who has committed to Bentley College, starts the year with 693 career points. ... In a preseason scrimmage against St. John's of Shrewsbury, 6-9 sophomore Carson Desrosiers had a stunning 17 blocked shots, according to coach Rick Nault. "I've never seen anything like it," said Nault. ... The Raiders, in addition to playing a tough non-league schedule that includes four-time Rhode Island champ Bishop Hendricken, will enter the Comcast Tournament that boasts always-tough Newton North and BC High. ... Senior Ryan Bourque, who was slated for reserve action, died in a tragic auto accident on Nov. 25. ... Class president KB Oshodi (20-6<1/2> long jump, area-best 43-11<1/2> triple jump) and Walson Constant (41-11<1/2>) were two of the region's top horizontal leapers last spring. ... Varsity newcomers Zak Adamopoulos and Michael Garcia, who are both juniors, were All-MVC football players.

Coach Rick Nault (2nd year, 19-6): "Carson (Desrosiers) has really improved and is already getting attention from major Division 1 schools like Georgetown and Providence. He will fit right into the starting lineup with our returning four. Right now, Wilfredo Pagan is doing everything for us, Billy Marsden has a lot of confidence and can take over a game, but Adrian (Gonzalez) is our best player. We definitely have the talent | we plan on using nine, 10 or 11 kids | and I think we'll be more balanced than last year."