WORCESTER — Central Catholic sophomore Jimmy Zenevitch planted himself in a front-row seat about an hour before tip-off. He even painted his face red, white and blue for the occasion.
"It's going to be a long shower after this game," he said with a smile.
Zenevitch, who plays for the boys team at Central, was at the DCU Center as a fan. His sister Katie and the girls team put on a show last night, defeating Shepherd Hill 67-62 in the Division 1 basketball state final. It's the first championship for the Raiders and coach Sue Downer, who helped start the girls program in 1997.
"It's been a building process," Athletic Director Peter Paladino said. "Sue's been the only coach. We went from Division 4 to Division 3 to Division 2 to Division 1. We made it (here) two years ago and lost. Every year we've taken it to the next step."
Katie Zenevitch, a junior who's already committed to play hoops at Boston College, led the Raiders with 28 points and 26 rebounds. She hit four free throws in the game's final minute to help seal the victory.
"I'm so happy for the girls," Principal David DeFilippo said. "They've worked so hard for this. Sometimes the boys get the limelight. People should see how good girls basketball is. They deserve the spotlight."
Jimmy Zenevitch and all the Raiders fans in attendance were loud throughout.
"We want to cheer as much as we can," Jimmy Zenevitch said.
When the final buzzer sounded, the players stormed the court and accepted their trophy.
"It's good for all the kids now," Paladino said, "and all the kids that played here in the past."
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