ANDOVER — Dave Fazio’s staff is on the high of its recreation as match time approaches.
Luca Palermo scored 19 factors whereas freshman Josh Roux buried 5 3-pointers as No. 3 Andover defeated Merrimack Valley Conference boys basketball rival No. 11 Central Catholic, 49-42, on Tuesday evening at Andover High School.
The Golden Warriors (12-3, 11-1) clinched a share of the MVC Large Division and have defeated their rival Raiders on two of three events.
“It’s impressive,” stated Fazio, Andover’s head coach. “These kids were not ranked in the preseason and have just gone about their business every day.”
Defensively, Andover was excellent, holding its guests to only 4 factors within the first quarter and 10 factors within the third. The end result was a lead that obtained as massive as 19, 49-30, with 5:25 remaining.
“It’s the leadership of our seniors that allow our underclassmen to do so well,” Fazio stated. “Our seniors find Josh and Luca. If they don’t score or they do score, they don’t mind. As long as we win. That’s the difference.”
In entrance of a full home, Palermo stole the present within the opening minutes. The sophomore collected all 11 Andover factors within the first quarter to place the hosts up 11-4 after one. In the second, Palermo continued to dominate inside because the Golden Warriors opened up a double digit lead earlier than Central Catholic star sophomore Javi Lopez put residence a pair of buckets to maintain the Raiders inside hanging distance.
Roux, nonetheless, got here to life for Andover because the sharpshooter buried a pair of triples to catapult the Golden Warriors to a 30-18 lead on the break.
While the Raiders continued to wrestle mightily from the sector, connecting on simply two area targets within the third body, Roux placed on a capturing clinic by connecting on three extra triples to push Andover’s result in 45-28 after three. Raiders ahead John Kelley tried to maintain his staff inside vary with six factors in a minute span to trim the deficit to 9, 49-40, with 1:31 left.
The Golden Warriors managed possession and held the Raiders to only two factors over the ultimate 90 seconds to safe the win.
Source: www.bostonherald.com