LOWELL – It took a giant, literally, to beat Javi Lopez.
In the final state championship game in Massachusetts, Lopez, the best basketball player in Massachusetts was eventually beaten by the state’s unstoppable force, 6-foot-9 and 250-pound Brody Bumila.
Central Catholic’s Lopez gallantly led his team with 30 points, but Bishop Feehan’s Bumila, who scored 36, proved too big, too strong and, in the end, too much for the Raiders.
“Javi is a professional scorer at the high school level. He’s going to be efficient, and he’s going to be what he was,” said Central coach Mark Dunham. “He’s a way better kid than he is a basketball player. That’s saying a lot. What he’s done for our program is exactly that. He’s made it a program that younger kids can see what we want to do and hopefully we will be back.”
Lopez finishes his brilliant career as Central’s all-time leading scorer, and led the school to MVC and Commonwealth Motors Christmas Classic championships.
But the most striking part of his career was he had it.
So many players have left the area for greener pastures – Div. 1 dreams and sparsely attended prep school gyms – only to end up at Div. 3 schools, like the one Lopez is attending (Brandeis University).
“No regrets. None at all,” said the teary-eyed senior from Lawrence. “Central took me in and became my family. I owe the school so much. I, of course, would do it all over again.”
Lopez is a rare breed, mature beyond his years.
The Boys Club kid felt an obligation to be around friends, family and the village that helped raise him.
I just don’t get the rush, among good high school players, to give up the opportunity to play amongst friends, family and their classmates.
Nothing compares to Central Catholic-Andover High games in December, January or February; the same with the Christmas tournament.
Those create memories, win or lose, that last a lifetime.
In previous years, a 6-foot-9 behemoth would cause a lot of problems in Massachusetts high school basketball. But this year, with many 6-foot-5 and bigger guys leaving to pursue a dream, Bumila was too much of a force.
It wasn’t even really basketball, more like a 5th grade game with a kid a foot taller than the rest. Throw him the ball, layup. Yawn!
That’s a discussion for another, but on this day we salute Lopez.
He had “Div. 1” traits, a sweet pullup jumper with three-point length. But his size – 6-foot-1 – wasn’t going to change. And neither would what he felt at Central Catholic as not only an athlete, but a student.
“It was my dream to bring the school a state championship again, but we didn’t get it done. I’m upset about that,” said Lopez. “I wanted to leave a legacy here. I hope I did.”
Other than Bishop Feehan, winning state championships isn’t done alone. You need help. You need two or three teammates to crank a few clutch three’s in the second half.
Central made a few, but not enough.
But we got to see Lopez go out fighting, easily the most talented player on the court, again this winter.
This time, though it was just short of enough.
“A few makes and few stops this story is a different one,” said Lopez. “But it’s OK. We played our hearts out and just fell short.”
Before walking toward the Tsongas Center doors while heading to buses outside, with a towel over his head, he had one closing thought on representing his school.
“A Raider for life,” said Lopez. “I’m sad it’s done, but happy it happened.”
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
You can email Bill Burt at bburt@eagletribune.com.