BeantownHoops Blog

by Christian Bradley, beantownhoops.com Central Mass correspondent

Lawrence, MA-Coming into their game against Central Catholic, North High Coach Al Pettway was well aware of the Raiders’ credentials. Central’s 6’11 senior captain Carson Desroisers is ACC-bound, he has committed to playing ball at Wake Forest this fall and is sure to be a finalist for state player of the year. Their other big man, 6’7 Jimmy Zenevitch, is also extremely versatile and has proven to be a match-up problem for opposing teams. In addition to this, the Raiders are ranked #2 in an extremely talented Eastern Mass by Beantownhoops.
“The plan was to try to stop their bigs with weak side help, playing help side defense and getting help from the weak side whenever the ball was in the post,” Coach Pettway said of North’s plan to stop Central Catholic’s post duo.

The game started off as a defensive battle. North came out in a 2-2-1 zone press and Central Catholic with a high pressure man to man. The first quarter of the game amounted to turnover after turnover, a true testament to the brand of defense that was played the entire game.

The Polar Bears were able to fight back in the 2nd quarter, despite being down 20-9 at one point, to tie the game at the half 24-24.

Desroisers dominated on defense, making his presence felt by altering and blocking countless shots. He also ended with seven rebounds. The Raiders’ great defense in the third quarter enabled them to get baskets at the other end of the floor, including a 3-pointer by Desroisers, to end the third with a 38-33 lead.

North came out with great intensity in the 4th quarter, bringing the game to within a point after 6’7 North center Cedric Kuakumensah (who is getting Division 1 looks himself) scored four of his 14 points in the first 40 seconds of the fourth quarter.

Coach Pettway was happy with his big man’s work on the all-state center from Central Catholic.

“I thought Cedric did an exceptional job on Desroisers. You know, Desroisers is going to Wake Forest, and Cedric only being a junior, I thought he really held his own…he did a great job.”

Senior Marquese Berry also had a huge impact on the Polar Bears’ comeback, knocking down some key jumpers and completing several dribble drives that left the electric crowd in awe.

Despite these efforts, North’s turnovers hurt them towards the end of the game and Central Catholic was able to hold off North behind very impressive performances from Desroisers and Zenevitch, who had 19 points and 7 rebounds-including some clutch post buckets down the stretch. Desroisers finished the game with 17 points and 8 rebounds.

North’s senior forward Gaetano Iacovone, fresh off scoring his 1000th point in an emotional victory over St. John’s, finished the game with 14 points and 6 rebounds.

“Well the 1000 was a wonderful feeling it is something that really made my senior year. I put that as my favorite moment by far to score and see my loved ones all wearing 1000th shirts,” Iacovone said of his reaching the scoring milestone this past Friday against St. John’s.

Iacovone, who idolizes and models his game after Celtics-great Larry Bird, was able to help keep North in the game by grabbing several offensive rebounds and hitting on some clutch shots.

Despite the loss, Coach Pettway explained that his #1 ranked Central Mass squad had learned a lot in the last week, with victories against Warren G. Harding(CT), Central Mass’s #2 ranked team in the Pioneers from St. John’s, as well as tonight’s three point loss to Central Catholic.

“We had a rough week, playing three great teams. I think we learned that we are one of the best teams in the state and we can play with the best teams,” Pettway said.

In their toughest week so far this season, North was able to learn a lot in their past three games, even despite their loss.

“We learned (this week) every possession counts. We have to be tough, stay together and everything should be good. (If) we hit free throws we should be the last ones standing,” said Iacovone.

Playing great basketball against three excellent teams this week, the 11-2 Polar Bears certainly won’t be expected to give anything but their best effort in a run at the Central Mass championship and beyond.

The reigning Worcester Telegram & Gazette Super Teamer,  Iacovone, continued, “Basketball is a game of runs it’s just like life you have to wake up in the morning and start your day, you have to come to the game and be prepared. No team is easy, regardless of who they are.”

Worcester North (44): Emmanuel Tarwoe 1 2-2 4, Cedric Kuakumensah 6 2-4 14, Marquese Berry 4 1-2 10, Quazay McClain 1 0-0 2, Gaetano Iacovone 6 0-0 14. Totals 18 5-8 44.

Central Catholic (47): Jaycob Morales 0 0-0 0, Luis Puello 1 2-2 4, Chris Conlin 1 0-0 2, Jimmy Zenevitch 7 4-6 19, Carson Desrosiers 8 0-1 17, Andrew Ouellette 1 0-0 2, Cam Wroblenski 0 1-2 1, Evan Sheehan 1 0-0 2, Joel Berroa 0 0-0 0. Totals 19 7-11 47.