Wed, Mar 06, 2019
07:00 PM @
Lynn English
| Team |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Final |
| Andover |
11 |
13 |
12 |
7 |
43 |
| Lynn English |
20 |
9 |
17 |
20 |
66 |
English ousts upset-minded Andover in semis
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Wednesday, March, 06
By David Souza
Correspondent
DANVERS — Andover faced a tall task squaring off against top-ranked Lynn English in the Division 1 North semifinals, but the Golden Warriors were no strangers to playing the underdog role.
In their two previous post-season games, the Golden Warriors had knocked off fifth-ranked Waltham and fourth-ranked Boston Latin, setting the stage for another David and Goliath contest, this time with the Bulldogs.
A late surge by the Bulldogs and junior Jarnel Guzman (29 points, 7 3-pointers) spelled the end for the 12th-seed Golden Warriors, 66-43.
With less than two minutes left in the third quarter, Andover (14-9) was still within striking distance, trailing 39-34, in the game played at St. John’s Prep. Then Guzman, who transferred from the Prep in November, hit a pair of twos before drilling a deep 3-pointer which pushed the lead to 10 headed into the final quarter.
Andover went cold late and Guzman assured English would stay alive with three more triples in the final quarter, two from way beyond the arc.
“Just could not make baskets tonight,” said Andover head coach Dave Fazio. “We shot a horrific number, and sometimes that’s what it comes down to. When you miss shots the other team gets a lot of momentum, they get energy, they start flying – and you get a little tired.”
Senior quad-captain Stephen Shaw said, “Everyone loved each other, and it was so much fun to be with each and every single person, teammate every single day. It’s hard, it’s definitely hard, but I’m thankful for every single moment I had with Andover basketball.”
Rishi Srinivasan checked in late in the fourth quarter with the contest essentially decided. He recorded his lone basket on the night on a finger roll after driving to the hoop. The crowd received the senior with a standing ovation when he checked back out of the game for the final time.
“You can never underestimate what character is all about. Character is doing what you’re supposed to do when no one is watching,” said Fazio. “My seniors have the utmost character. They’re leaders on and off the court, they’re role models at our school and they compete like son-of-a-guns. Thanks for an unbelievable run.”
The Golden Warriors were led by junior Kyle Rocker with 15 points.
“We love being the underdog, we’re always going to fight, we’re not going to give up, and that showed in the playoffs,” Shaw said.
Beating up MVC
The Merrimack Valley Conference has been dominant, placing teams in the Division 1, 2 and 3 North finals.
But Lynn English (20-2) eliminated Lawrence and Andover in its two tourney games. Next up is No. 3 Central Catholic (21-3) Saturday, 7:45 p.m., at Tsongas Arena.
Lynn English 66, Andover 43
Division 1 North Semifinals
ANDOVER (43): Rocker 7-1-15, Shaw 4-1-8, Kirkpatrick 2-0-6, Slayton 3-0-6, Kim 2-0-4, Cammann 0-2-2, Srinivasan 1-0-2, Totals 19-4-43
LYNN ENGLISH (66): Guzman 11-0-29, Rodriguez 7-0-14, Alonzo Linton 6-1-13, Jean-Baptiste 2-0-5, Fitzpatrick 1-0-3, Vizcaino 0-2-2, Totals 27-3-66
3-pointers: ENGLISH — Guzman 7, Fitzpatrick, Jean-Baptiste; ANDOVER — Kirkpatrick 2, Shaw
Andover (14-9): 11 13 12 7 — 43
Lynn English (20-2): 20 9 17 20 — 66
Game Statistics:
Division 1 North Semifinals
ANDOVER (43): Rocker 7-1-15, Shaw 4-1-8, Kirkpatrick 2-0-6, Slayton 3-0-6, Kim 2-0-4, Cammann 0-2-2, Srinivasan 1-0-2, Totals 19-4-43
LYNN ENGLISH (66): Guzman 11-0-29, Rodriguez 7-0-14, Alonzo Linton 6-1-13, Jean-Baptiste 2-0-5, Fitzpatrick 1-0-3, Vizcaino 0-2-2, Totals 27-3-66
3-pointers: ENGLISH — Guzman 7, Fitzpatrick, Jean-Baptiste; ANDOVER — Kirkpatrick 2, Shaw
