RallyNorth.net

Central meeting someone its own size in BC High

Monday, March, 10 By Hector Longo
Staff writer

Not that the Central Catholic boys are bullies, it's just so infrequently that they get a chance to pick on someone their own size.

Tonight at 7:45, the Raiders, champions of Division 1 North at 23-2, get the opportunity to do just that when they step on the famed parquet floor at the TD Banknorth Garden and face off with South champ Boston College High (21-3).

Normally, Central's front line of Carson Desrosiers (6-foot-9), Adrian Gonzalez (6-foot-5) and Tim Wheeler (6-foot-4) towers over the opposition. That won't happen tonight, as Jake O'Brien (6-foot-8), Ryan Sharry (6-foot-7) and Colin Halpan (6-foot-4) hope to see eye to eye with the Raiders.

In O'Brien, the Raiders will compete against the only scholarship big man they've seen all year. The Eagles senior is headed to Boston University.

Of course, the Raiders have a pretty good scouting report on BC High.

One of two Central losses this year came to the Eagles (64-60) in the finals of the Comcast Tournament, which was held at BC High.

BC High coach Bill Loughnane led the Eagles to a 25-0 record in 2007. It was the fourth state title for the 51-year-old Loughnane, who also guided South Boston to championships in 1992, 1995 and 1996.

"They're a terrific team. I wouldn't mind having a couple of those guys playing for me," said Loughnane, whose Southie clubs went 2-2 vs. Central in postseason play in the '90s. "They play hard and don't give an inch. They're very skilled, and there is a mental toughness about them. They battle for everything and do all the little things right."

Loughnane won Eastern Mass. Division 1 Coach of the Year honors a year ago, taking the Eagles to their only trip to the Garden in history and finishing the job with the school's only state title.

Only one starter remains from that title team of a year ago, but the Eagles have barely missed a step.

"At this point, the kids have invested so much, they don't want to see it end," said Loughnane. "You call an end to practice, and you really notice the kids seem to linger a little longer in the gym. They just don't want to see it end.

"The kids are going to be excited, I don't see many teachers making an impact in school at all (today)," said Loughnane. "This is my fifth time. And I'm sure I can speak for Central Catholic on this one, too. That bus ride into the game is just so special."

Odds and ends

The winner of tonight's game will advance to Saturday's Division 1 state final (7:30 p.m.) at the DCU Center in Worcester. They will play the winner of tomorrow night's Longmeadow (19-4) vs. St. John's of Shrewsbury (20-6) game. ... Central is making its second Garden appearance in the last three years. ... BC High won the Division 1 state title last year and Central won it in 1999. ... The Eagles outscored Brockton 44-21 in the second half Saturday to earn a 74-63 victory.