Sunday, February 22, 1998
Coincidentally -- or perhaps not -- seven of the nine teams
in the field for the Boys' Division 1 Central Mass. Tournament play their
home games in gymnasiums considered among the toughest for opponents.
Top-seeded St. John's was, of course,
undefeated in its home gym, as well as on the road, during the regular
season. It will be up to the winner of the Shepherd Hill-Burncoat game
to halt the Pioneers' victory streak. As the No. 9 seed, Burncoat won't
play any games in its home gym, also known as the “Green Graveyard.”
Fitchburg, the second seed, plays its
home games in what area coaches rate among the top four toughest gyms in
the area for visiting teams. Fourth-seeded Marlboro will travel from the
confines of its also opponent-unfriendly gym to face Fitchburg at “The
Brickyard” in Thursday's quarterfinal game.
Red Raiders coach Doug Grutchfield doesn't
dispute his team's homecourt advantage.
“Our gym is a huge advantage for us,”
Grutchfield said. “The kids know it and the fans know it.”
Fifth-seeded St. Peter-Marian won't have
the advantage of playing at its home gym, which also cracked the toughest
top four list. Instead, the Guardians play at fourth-seeded Milford, also
mentioned by coaches as a tough place to visit.
Sixth-seeded Doherty was cited for its
cramped playing quarters. The Inter-High champs travel to face third-seeded
Holy Name at the Naps' more spacious Granite Street gym.