WOBURN — It took every part that the Andover women basketball staff had within the tank and extra to stay undefeated.
Trailing No. 4 Wachusett by seven factors early within the third quarter, it didn’t look promising for the highest seed in D1. But a stout defensive effort together with the duo of Anna Foley and Amelia Hanscom, the Golden Warriors discovered a method to get the job carried out in a 61-57 win over the Mountaineers.
Andover (25-0) strikes on to face No. 2 Bishop Feehan on the Tsongas Center in Lowell for the state title.
“We have been in so many of these battles. This just adds another one to the list,” Andover coach Alan Hibino stated. “Credit to Wachusett. They are an elite program and it took everything we had.”
Wachusett (21-3) had a 10-point lead late within the first half earlier than Andover went on a three-point barrage within the remaining moments of the half to get again within the sport.
Hanscom, who had 12 of her 16 factors within the third quarter, minimize the result in 4 earlier than Logan Baker’s three gave the Mountaineers a 36-29 lead.
It was at that time when Hanscom, Foley and Ella Vidoni helped Andover start to impose its will at each ends of the ground.
“We just kept saying do what we do and it started with defense,” Hibino stated.
The Golden Warriors trio keyed a 16-5 run that spanned the ultimate minutes of the third and into the fourth to provide Andover a 45-41 lead, its first since early within the sport.
Wachusett minimize the lead down to 1 twice earlier than a three-point play from Foley was adopted by a trey from Vidoni to make it 53-46.
Mary Gibbons hit a 3 for Wachusett however Hanscom and Vidoni answered to make it 57-49 with three minutes left.
Wachusett didn’t go quietly as Rileigh Leary and Kate King hit threes within the remaining minute to get the Mountaineers inside three however no nearer. It wasn’t till Michaela Buckley hit two free throws with :12 left that Andover may lastly exhale.
Source: www.bostonherald.com
