2009-10 Central Mass Final Top 15
By Christian Bradley, BeantownHoops.com Central Mass correspondent
1. St. John’s (24-3) The Pioneers won their third Central Mass. title in as many years, but came up just short against Central Catholic in the state title game, losing 56-55 in a thriller at the DCU center.
2. 2. North (18-5)North easily ran thru Algonquin and Shrewsbury, but met their match in the Central Mass. title game against St. John’s, as they fell 58-35.
3. 3. Whitinsville Christian (21-5) The Crusaders were nearly unchallenged in the Central Mass tournament, capturing the Division 3 crown by beating Maynard 58-44. WCS lost to New Leadership by 2 points in Double OT, in one of the most exciting games of the year statewide.
4. 4. Marlboro (15-7) The Panthers upset Doherty 70-66, but could not get past St. John’s, despite a huge game from Zach Auguste.
5. 5. Doherty (16-5) After a first round bye in the Division 1 tournament, the Highlanders were upset by Marlboro in their first game of the tourney.
6. 6. Groton-Dunstable (21-5) Groton-Dunstable won the Central Mass. Division 2 championship. They beat Sabis 52-48 at the HoopHall classic back in January, but the Crusaders couldn’t quite get past Sabis again in the D2 state semis, falling 45-44.
7. 7. Shrewsbury (17-5) After defeating South 65-50 in their first game of the Division 1 tournament, the Colonials fell to North, 72-58.
8. 8. Millbury (18-6) The Woolies defeated Bartlett and Clinton to get to the Division 2 title game at WPI, but fell ,49-43, to Groton-Dunstable.
9. 9. Fitchburg (13-9) After defeating Milford already during the regular season, the Red Raiders beat them once again, knocking Milford out of district play. However, Fitchburg was easily defeated by St. John’s 81-50.
1 10. Maynard (23-1 ) After narrowly beating Worcester Tech, 59-58, in the Division 3 semis, Maynard fell to Whitinsville Christian, their only loss of the season.
11 11. South (13-9) The Colonials beat Tantasqua with ease earlier in the season, and beat them once again in districts, winning 61-50. But, they were defeated by Shrewsbury 65-50 in the second round of the D1 tournament.
1212. Northbridge (15-7) The Rams had some tough losses in the regular season, but kicked it into gear when playoffs started: defeating Nipmuc and nearly beating the eventual Central Mass. Division 2 champ Groton-Dunstable, falling 66-63.
1313. Clinton (13-9) The Clinton Gaels had a great upset victory over Uxbridge in their first game of the Division 2 tournament, winning 60-50. In the semifinals, they fell to the eventual Central Mass. Division 2 runner up, Millbury, 50-48.
1414. Worcester Tech (17-5) Worcester Tech upset Quaboag 54-52 in their first game of the Central Mass. tournament, and nearly handed then undefeated Maynard their first loss of the season, but fell 59-58.
15 15. Milford (12-9) Milford was upended in the first round of the Division 1 tournament by Fitchburg.