LAWRENCE — Perhaps, it's the family name, or the silky smooth lefty jump shot, the 6-foot-6 frame and the plethora of post moves.
Maybe, it's just all that time in the spotlight.
Whatever the case, it feels like Jimmy Zenevitch has been around forever.
"People forget he's only a sophomore," said coach Rick Nault, who per usual this winter will start Zenevitch — yes, his sister Katie is the star of the Central girls team — in tonight's Division 1 North title game at Tsongas Arena (7 p.m.) against Lynn English.
"He played JV all freshman year and only came up for spot minutes with the varsity late in the year."
Yet, with only 24 career starts to his name, he was named by the coaches to the Merrimack Valley Conference large school all-star team.
"The biggest factor with Jimmy is his confidence," said Nault. "I'm not sure he thinks he can be consistent and contribute at this level. In my eyes, he's been a starter since Day 1, and he's never been a question."
Zenevitch stepped in to a spot vacated by All-Scholastic Adrian Gonzalez. He's endured the taunts from the opposition, namely the "Katie's better!" chant made popular by the folks in Andover.
"Ask (Andover coach) Dave Fazio about what Jimmy did to his team in the three games we played against them," said Nault. "Night in and night out, he's been our third guy behind Billy (Marsden) and Carson (Desrosiers). He's been exactly what I expected when this season started."
Zenevitch understood what he was in for when the season began.
"Sure, I kind of knew what was expected," said Zenevitch, who is averaging 7.9 points a game. "To me, it's been fun, even playing in their shadows (his sister and Desrosier)."
Work in practice has honed his game.
"Jimmy is not some 6-foot-6 plodder, just hanging around the basket looking for easy baskets," said Nault. "He's grown so much as a player. A lot of it is because he went against Carson every day in practice as a freshman.
"This year, he plays aside him, and I know that Carson has really taken him under his wing."
Tuesday night in the Division 1 North quarters, Lynn Classical basically told Central that victory would lie in Zenevitch's hands.
The sophomore responded with 14 big points, equaling his career high to send the Rams packing.
He can expect more of the same Sunday night with Lynn English.
"Carson is a tough matchup for anyone but especially for us," said English coach Buzzy Barton. "We're going to play someone in front of Carson and someone behind him."
That again could mean the need for Zenevitch to score. The shot wasn't falling in the semis vs. Everett, but he wasn't afraid to shoot.
"He's a conference all-star as a sophomore in one of the state's top basketball programs," said Nault. "I think that tells you just how much confidence I have in Jimmy Zenevitch."
Sectional final fodder
According to coach Buzzy Barton, Lynn English is the polar opposite of Everett, which nearly stunned Central in the semis. English is deep and loves to run and score. As far as common opponents go, English went 2-1 against Lowell, with the home team taking each. English also split a pair with Everett. The Bulldogs ran the table (16-0) to win their third straight Northeastern Conference title.
The Tsongas schedule opens today at 1 p.m. with Winthrop facing North Cambridge Catholic in the Division 4 North title game. At 3 p.m., the Division 3 sectional will be decided by a huge contrast of styles with man-mountain Mike Clifford and Bishop Fenwick challenging defending champ Watertown, featuring the sharp-shooting Stockmal twins. At 5 p.m., the Middlesex League takes center stage with Belmont and Woburn in a fight to move on in Division 2.
All of Sunday's winners will face the South champs at the TD Banknorth Garden in Tuesday's state semifinals.
Division 1 North Boys Basketball Final
Today, 7 p.m., at Tsongas Arena, Lowell
No. 1 Central Catholic (23-1)
Starters
Player%Ht.%Yr.%Pos.%PPG.
Benny Fernandez%5-10%Sr.%G%2.7
Billy Marsden%5-10%Sr.%G%19.7
Tim Wheeler%6-4%Sr.%F%2.5
Jimmy Zenevitch%6-6%Soph.%F%7.9
Carson Desrosiers%6-10%Jr.%C16.0
Key Reserves
Jose Pena%6-5%Sr.%C%3.5
Michael Garcia%6-2%Sr.%F%3.7
Michael Alvarez%6-1%Jr.%G%7.2
Luis Puello%6-1%Frosh.%G%2.5
Coach: Rick Nault (3rd year, 67-9)
No. 3 Lynn English (23-2)
Starters
Player%Ht.%Yr.%Pos.%PPG.
Justin Young%5-11%Sr.%G%5.0
Ryan Woumn%6-0%Jr.%G%16.0
Jeremy Subervi%5-11%Sr.%F%10.0
Eugene Turner%6-3%Sr.%F%8.0
Charlie Rucker%6-4%Sr.%C%7.0
Key Reserves
Travonne Berry-Rogers%5-11%Soph.%G%6.0
Archie Allen%6-3%Sr.%F%8.0
Jose Rivera%6-4%Sr.%C%5.0
Coach: Buzzy Barton (3rd year, 57-13)
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