Central Catholic shows Lowell who's No. 1

After falling to No. 9 in the Globe's girls' basketball rankings, Central Catholic is making a case that it belongs a little closer to the top spot it occupied in the preseason.

Visiting Central Catholic improved to 10-2 by knocking off top-ranked and previously undefeated Lowell last night, 60-40.

"I wouldn't call it an upset," said Lowell coach Mike Crowley, who was anticipating a strong game from the Red Raiders, especially with the talented Katie Zenevitch returning from a broken bone in her right hand.

Zenevitch proved again why she is one of the top players in the state, collecting 24 points and 13 rebounds.

"She's as good as it gets out there," said Crowley, whose team fell to 9-1.

After dealing with ailments to Zenevitch and point guard Gabe Tolce (mononucleosis), Crowley said of Central, "They're finally healthy."

Despite the loss, Crowley isn't discouraged.

"[Central is] not much better than us," he said.

"They were just quicker, rebounded better, and shot the lights out."

Commonwealth: Senior forward Abby Dornbusch scored 29 points in Minuteman's 57-39 rout of Whittier, leaving her just 16 points shy of 1,000. The win secured a spot in the state tournament for 10-1 Minuteman.

Boston City: Guard Armani Gill scored 13 points and added seven assists as Latin Academy hung on for a 49-43 victory over defending league champion East Boston . . . Junior Jamal McCollum tallied 18 points and 14 rebounds and point guard Spencer Braithwaite scored 16 points with 11 assists as Madison Park swamped South Boston, 75-57.

Nonleague: Small forward Ernest Williams collected 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists and point guard Robert Lewis added 21 points and nine assists to lift Fenway over Marian, 70-42 . . . Forward Greg Statho scored a team-high 15 points and all 11 of his teammates scored as Mystic Valley improved to 7-3 with a 57-30 win over Covenant Christian Academy.

Nonleague: Senior goalie Jackie Zais recorded 25 saves as Notre Dame (Hingham) breezed past Marshfield, 3-1.

Merrimack Valley: Senior Josh Adams was clocked at 5.6 seconds in the 50-yard dash to remain undefeated and help push Methuen past Tewksbury, 59-27 . . . Tyler Moules posted a league-best 2:41.9 in the 1,000 meters to boost Billerica to a 50-36 win over Lawrence.

Oliver Ames's Mike Moverman was named 2008 Gatorade Massachusetts Boys' Cross-Country Runner of the Year. He is the first runner in school history to be so honored.

The MIAA Board of Directors was given an update by attorney Robert Fraser regarding the organization's ongoing dispute with Mansfield High and its football coach, Mike Redding.

A subcommittee of the board had said that Mansfield must punish Redding for taking five days to inform the association of the use of an ineligible player in two games this past season. In response, Mansfield's attorneys sent a letter to the MIAA asking for clarification of the subcommittee's decision.

Because the discussion was held in executive session, the specifics are unknown.

Bob Holmes of the Globe staff contributed to this report.