By an eyelash

Next year, they could be starting side by side for Boston College.

For The Eagle-Tribune All-Decade girls' basketball team, Central Catholic senior Katie Zenevitch and BC junior Stefanie Murphy from Londonderry are side by side as the premier players in the region in the last 10 years.

Murphy is more power, Zenevitch is more finesse. Both are about 6-3 and unstoppable. Both dominated from the get-go, earning Eagle-Tribune All-Star honors as freshmen.

Murphy may have even rated a slight edge, but she never won a title and Zenevitch carried the Raiders to the 2009 Division 1 crown with a series of unforgettable performances (22.0 points, 20.8 rebounds in five tourney games).

Much to my amazement, there were 33 of what I deemed "very strong'' candidates for the 15 positions.

Local schools offer 29 different sports (boys and girls) and girls basketball is probably the strongest. That's based on league titles, state tourney success, college scholarships and regional and national rankings.

Comparing the relative strength of the sports locally, I'd say several honorable mention girls basketball players had careers which would easily place them on other similar Eagle-Tribune All-Decade teams.

To qualify, a player had to attend a local school and play at least two seasons between 2000-09.

First Team

Katie Zenevitch (Central Catholic '10): The scoring and rebounding numbers speak for themselves but she's also unselfish, plays her best ball in the clutch and throws the most devastating outlet passes since Wes Unseld. Was simply remarkable in the 2009 postseason. Committed to BC before her junior year. Ranked the No. 63 senior nationally by ESPNU.

Stefanie Murphy (Londonderry '07):

Leading female scorer in area history with 1,777 points to go with 1,249 rebounds and 289 blocks. Too tall and too strong to stop. Hustled as if she was a scrub just trying to make the team. Surprisingly athletic three-sport star. Ranked No. 31 in the Class of 2007 by one service. BC star won ACC Rookie of the Year two years ago.

Jenny McDade (Pinkerton '06): Two-time Eagle-Tribune MVP was a one-person wrecking crew for the 2006 Class L champion Astros, leading them to their only title in the 40-year history of the state tourneys. Do-it-all 5-9 guard earned scholarship to UNH and is now starring at Southern New Hampshire.

Rashidat Agboola (Methuen '10): Prior to Zenevitch's eyepopping postseason, the 6-foot Agboola was neck and neck with her for Eagle-Tribune MVP honors last winter. Tremendously athletic two-sport star (volleyball). Led area in scoring last year (21.7 ppg) and the BU recruit is averaging an eye-popping 25.4 ppg this winter.

Sam Wheeler (Timberlane '08): Had the complete package of size (6-feet), strength and skills. The 2008 Eagle-Tribune MVP, who scored 1,200 career points, was also a track star (5-4 high jump, 34-11 1/2 triple jump). She's currently averaging 10.7 points and 6.9 rebounds at Maine.

Second Team

Kirsten Daamen (Pentucket '09): One of the most dominant defenders in area history. At cornerstone of Pentucket's improbable turnaround from cellar-dwellers to state powerhouse. Two-time Eagle-Tribune Super Teamer used her 6-3 frame to dominate the paint. Currently starting at Division 1 Central Connecticut.

Natalie Gomez-Martinez (Andover '11): The purest point guard in the region since ex-Haverhill (HHS '96) and UMass star Kelly Van Huisen. Lightning quick, makes excellent decisions and has tremendous ballhandling skills. Eagle-Tribune Super Teamer last winter and keeps getting better.

Jenny Muller (Andover '03): In the 20 years The Eagle-Tribune has been naming girls basketball MVPs, she's the only three-time winner. Scored 1,496 points. Could score, pass and defend. Led Golden Warriors to 85-9 record and a state title.

Jackie Vocell (Timberlane '02): Three-time Eagle-Tribune All-Star and two-time Super Teamer. Sharpshooter. Led area in scoring as a junior (18.7 ppg). Led turnaround from an 0-21 freshman campaign to 13-9 as a junior. Went on to become a part-time starter at Brown.

Ashley McLaughlin (Andover '04): Eagle-Tribune MVP as a senior and Super Teamer as a junior. Long (6-2) and athletic enough to play guard, forward or center. Started three years at Holy Cross.

Third Team

Amanda Shannon (North Andover '05): Three-time Eagle-Tribune All-Star. Scored 1,058 points, becoming the first Scarlet Knight to surpass 1,000 points in 20 years. Multi-talented point guard. Her coach Sue Breen said, "She can do anything.'' Ranks fourth all-time in scoring at Merrimack with 1,360 points.

AJ Guidi (Pinkerton '10): Two-time Eagle-Tribune All-Star can really stroke it from deep. UMass Lowell signee has 921 career points. Plays with reckless abandon. Called "a great all-around player,'' by her coach, John Barry.

Maggie Cosgrove (Andover '07): Three-time Eagle-Tribune All-Star. Two-time All-Scholastic. Cat quick. Ran the show with aplomb. Hounded opposing guards on the defensive end. Three-year starter at Division 1 Sacred Heart.

Megan O'Connor (Georgetown '05): Three-time Eagle-Tribune All-Star scored 1,322 points. At 5-9, also a force on the backboards. Led Cinderella Royals to a berth in Division 4 EMass/state final as a junior. Played basketball and softball at Division 2 St. Michael's.

Melissa Lucas (Central Catholic '07): A team can't be all scorers. Lucas was a warrior who relished doing all the dirty work. Played her best in the big games. At 5-7, rebounded like she was 6-1. Three-time Eagle-Tribune All-Star. Earned softball scholarship to UConn.

Honorable Mention

Tiffany Colon, Lawrence; Mary Hart, Brooks; Brigid Hegarty, Central; Esia Johnson, Lawrence; Magdala Johnson, Timberlane; Meghan MacDonald, Salem; Jessica Mercado, Greater Lawrence; Glennies Morel, Lawrence; Taryn O'Connell, Georgetown; Caitlin Riley, Central; Jenn Russell, Brooks; Amanda Saab, Salem; Briana Szidat, Pelham; Meghan Thomann, Andover; Danielle Vardaro, Phillips; Ashley Viselli, Pentucket; Meredith Waldie, Methuen; Nicole Zahoruiko, North Andover

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Central's Zenevitch narrowly edges out Londonderry's Murphy as top player

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