By Russ Waterman
MaxPreps.com
Malden, tied for first in the Greater Boston League, will be a dangerous postseason foe when it begins Division 1 North Sectional competition in a few weeks.
With a foundation of three experienced seniors – including returnees who have rebounded from a 5-15 record two years ago – and a rising phenom in 6-foot-8 sophomore center Egi Gjikondi, the Golden Tornadoes have vaulted to a 15-2 record under fifth-year head coach Don Nally.
Gjikondi scored the first seven points for visiting Malden and ended up with 30 points, eight rebounds and four blocked shots for the Golden Tornadoes in a recent 66-47 win over Billerica.
But it was the Golden Tornadoes' full-court pressure that turned the tide against the host Indians as they capitalized almost every time after forcing nine turnovers in the third quarter. The lead bloated to as much as 26 points before the reserves came in midway through the fourth quarter.
The Indians (7-12), led by 6-5 center Lewis Hangyal with 10 points and guard Scott Cotreau with nine, still have an outside chance to make the playoffs.
"My players realize Egi (20 points, 11 rebounds, 3 blocks per game) is pretty special and they always try to find him," Nally said of the talented left-handed underclassman who can shoot from 3-point range, post up or hit the mid-range jumper.
Gjikondi and his brother Christie, a 6-3 senior starter, are from Albania, but most observers first noticed the younger, taller and swifter lefty brother three years ago in the youth leagues.
"He has worked hard and really improved and takes no practices off," Nally said. "Christie has also improved and is very steady and reliable."
But the Golden Tornadoes' mentor says his senior tri-captains – Steve Suida, Travis Nally and Marcus Armstrong – ignite and steady the team the most.
"They encourage the younger players whenever they get down," Nally said.
Malden last captured a boys basketball title in 1964 and the Golden Tornadoes face many obstacles in advancing that far again. In the GBL, Everett handed the Golden Tornadoes its only two losses and Cambridge is no pushover. Defending state champion Central Catholic and Lynn English have formidable teams, as do Lowell, Andover and many other squads in the North.
"If we get a top four seed we would have a home game in Malden and that would be the first time in about 30 years that has happened," Nally said, noting they've drawn home crowds of 1,500 or more three times this season. "That would be really special."
North Reading too much for Lowell Catholic
All-League forward John Lentini of North Reading (15-3) scored 16 points as the Cape Ann League Large co-leaders (with Georgetown) used their height advantage to full advantage in posting a runaway 80-49 victory over Lowell Catholic.
Hornet head coach Joe Casey, CAL Coach of the Year, has guided the squad to the top for the first time in five years.
The Crusaders were led by Cornelius Moore, who scored 13 of his game-high 19 points in the first quarter, and Matt Cavanaugh, whose four treys in a 14-point performance kept the visitors in contention briefly in the second half. The Hornets' defensive pressure and second-chance opportunities proved too much for the visitors to handle.
Comcast Tournament ends in Central Catholic wins
The Central Catholic boys and girls each won their respective championship finals in the Comcast Tournament held at Boston College High School. But the Division 3 Watertown boys and the Division 3 Pentucket girls gave their Division 1 opponents all they could handle.
Tourney MVP Carson Desrosiers, a 6-10 junior center, had 29 points and 14 rebounds while Billy Marsden added 22 for the Raiders in their 77-72 win over Watertown. The Stockmal twins, Kyle and Corey, combined for 50 points and 10 of Watertown’s 12 3-pointers.
Girls tourney MVP Katie Zenevich scored just nine points in Central Catholic’s 51-48 win over Pentucket in the finals, but got some support from Gabe Polce (15) and made big plays down the stretch to outlast the strong Division 3 team. Kirsten Daamen had 18 points and 16 rebounds for the Cape Ann League champs.
Girls Basketball Highlights
* Courtney Donovan, the South Coast League's top scorer, scored 25 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for league champion Bourne (18-2) in a 60-39 victory over Sandwich.
* Cohasset, 2008 Division 4 state champions and two-time South Shore League champs, rebounded from its first loss in 38 games to defeat Dorchester, 61-19, to conclude their regular season.
* Medfield won its 18th game without a loss, 63-54, over Dover-Sherborn behind 16 points by Jacky McLaughlin. The Tri-Valley League leaders also had contributions from Amy Festa (11) and Marissa Pendergast (10).
