By Joyce Erekson / The Daily Item, February 25, 2009

LYNN -- It took a big run in the fourth quarter and a game-and-a half by Cam Smith, but the Classical High boys basketball team finally sent Boston Latin Academy packing, 75-62, in Division 1 North first-round action Tuesday at Classical.

The Wolfpack had managed to cut the deficit to three points midway through the final quarter before the Rams went on an 18-2 run to put the game away. Classical will play the winner of Friday's Central Catholic vs. Somerville game Monday. Central Catholic is the No. 1 seed.

Smith was the real deal for the Rams, scoring 30 points to go with an exceptional defensive effort that included four steals.

"Cam had an outstanding game," Classical coach Tom Grassa said. "This was probably the best game he's ever played. Defensively he was everywhere."

Smith backboned the offensive effort in the first quarter, scoring 10 points, including a pair of threes that kept the Rams, who didn't take the lead until 1:19, in the hunt. Smith scored the last seven points of the quarter for Classical.

Once the Rams took the lead, they never let it go. Boston Latin trimmed the deficit to one right before the end of the half, only to see Classical pull away again when Jasper Grassa (16 points) hit Tony Wonde under the basket for two and then stole the ball with 12 seconds left and scored. Classical led 31-26 at the half.

"They're a scrappy team," Coach Grassa said about Boston Latin. "I give them credit. They didn't give up. They didn't lie down.

Grassa said he scouted the Wolfpack and knew one of the keys would be stopping or at least slowing down senior forward Christian Onuoha, who can inflict some serious damage in the paint. Chris Francois and Wonde had the task of keeping him in check and they did, holding Onuoha to nine points.

Boston Latin senior forward Sean Deery was also a thorn in the Rams' side, scoring a team-high 16 points. He had four threes in the second half to keep the Wolfpack in the game. Nick Irano also had 16 points for Boston Latin, the No. 10 seed with a 13-6 record (13-7 after the loss). Classical is the No. 8 seed with a 15-6 record.

Jarell Byrd had another strong outing for the Rams, scoring 11 points (9 in the second half) with 11 rebounds and four blocks. Boston Latin had to start fouling late in the game to get the ball back and although the Rams missed nine of the freebies, Smith was a rock, hitting seven free throws in the final quarter. He went 10-for-13 from the line.

"This was a good win for us," Grassa said. "We only have three guys (Smith, Grassa and Byrd) on varsity with any tournament experience. It was good to get that first win under our belt."

Last year, the Rams beat Andover in the first round and lost to Charlestown in the second.