Thursday, January 18, 2007 Older Editions

AHS ROUNDUP: No easy wins left on the schedule

By Rick Harrison

The Andover High boys varsity basketball team improved to 8-3 overall, and 6-2 in Merrimack Valley Conference play, with a convincing 56-24 victory over Billerica Tuesday night at the Dunn Gym.

That win, which followed a pulsating 66-61 loss to Lowell, left head coach Dave Fazio's quintet just two victories shy of an 18th straight MIAA Division 1 North Tournament berth since the former Central Catholic and Salem State College standout took the reins in 1990.

The second half of the season, which kicks off tomorrow night, should be very interesting.

The final 10 regular season games, along with the anticipated MIAA Tournament run, will be brutally tough.

The Golden Warriors host non-league south shore rival and Top 5-ranked Brockton tomorrow night at the Dunn (7 p.m.), and then hope to avenge a 58-51 Greater Lawrence Christmas Tournament loss to Lawrence High by defeating the Lancers next Tuesday night in Lawrence (7:30 p.m.).

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There are no soft touches left on the AHS schedule with Lawrence followed by - in order - ranked J.D. O'Bryant of Boston, Haverhill, Central Catholic, Lowell, Boston College High, Lawrence again and two games in the inaugural Warrior Classic against Malden High and either Brookline or Boston Latin.

"No easy games left," agreed Fazio. "But we'll take it game-by-game. Brockton should be a great take for the fans. O'Bryant is here a week from Sunday - and there's no football that day - which should make for another entertaining afternoon locally.

"We're really excited about the next 5-6 weeks. We've proved we can play with anyone and we're only getting better.

"We'll adopt the Patriots' approach and their mentality - figuring we can beat anyone by using whatever strategy is necessary to win."

Scoring leaders

Ian Dempsey has 215 points through the first 11 games (19.6 ave.), while Tristian Shannon is next with 126, Derrick Beasley 63, Chris Abreu 52, Jason Perry 49, Greg Cook 48, and Zack Burdeau 43.

Fazio's grade: solid 'B'

Fazio is pleased with the play of his relatively young team so far.

"I give our guys a solid 'B' for a mid-season grade," said the coach. "We're one game out of first in the league and we've won eight games. If you asked me at the beginning of the season I would have gladly taken 8-3 after 11 games.

"We've beaten all the teams we should beat - and we haven't lost to any slouches. Our three losses have been to very good teams (Lawrence, Central, Lowell). Two of them have fifth-year seniors at point-guard - while we're a young team with seven juniors who scrap and claw.

"We also seem to get everyone's best game," said Fazio. "Lawrence played its best against us. Central did. And so did Lowell.

"This is the first time I can ever remember playing all 10 guys on our roster in every game. It's been a lot of fun. The lineup has been totally unpredictable.

"Ian (Dempsey) is averaging close to 20 points a game to spark the offense," noted Fazio. "Tristian (Shannon) is the top rebounder at six per game and Derrick (Beasley) is at 4.2 assists.

"The captains, Gordon (DuBois) and Ian, are doing a nice job leading a young group. As veterans they know what it takes to be successful. Gordon is the defensive catalyst.

"All 10 guys are contributing," said Fazio. "(Jason) Perry and (Sam) Hutchins have been outstanding coming off the bench. Greg Cook is our unsung hero to date. Peter White is beginning to blossom and has earned a spot as a starter. (Chris) Abreu and Zach (Burdeau) have both been solid up front."

And, with a 9-1 JV team and 8-1 freshman group - both of whom have lost only to Central Catholic - the future looks bright.

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Fazio also gave a shout-out to the fans. He didn't grade them - but it's clear he'd be giving an A+ if asked.

"The student body has been amazing - and I intend to get on the intercom at school and let them know," enthused the coach. "Our support - especially at home but also on the road - has been second to none.

"Every home game the gym is packed. The bleachers are full and they're making a lot of positive noise.

"The Haverhill and Lowell games could have gone either way," said Fazio. "The crowd helped us pull out the win over Haverhill (59-55) - and even though we eventually lost to Lowell they helped us overcome a pretty big second-half deficit to tie it up."

Andover 56

Billerica 24

The struggling Indians did not present much of a challenge Tuesday night at the Dunn - scoring only eight second-half points - but that should be the last time this season the Golden Warriors will be able to put it in cruise control.

Ian Dempsey, who did most of his damage in the first half, finished with a game-high 18 points as he came close to outscoring the MVC Division 2 visitors by himself.

Jason Perry hit double digits as well with 10 points, while Tristian Shannon contributed eight.

Tossing in four points each to complete the attack were Sam Hutchins, Derrick Beasley, Peter White, Chris Abreu and Zach Burdeau.

The 24 points may be the fewest allowed by an AHS boys team since the introduction of the shot clock to Massachusetts high school basketball.

BMHS scored only nine field goals and four free throws.

Lowell 66

Andover 61

"Lowell is a dangerous team and they played extremely well," said Fazio. "They came into our gym, played in front of a full house and beat us. You have to give them credit for that."

The two MVC 1 powers waged war over 32 up-tempo minutes, Lowell (8-5, 4-2 MVC 1) erasing an early deficit and Andover battling back down the stretch before a final burst by the visiting Red Raiders secured the win.

It marked the first time in eight years (1999) and 15 games that Lowell has beaten the Golden Warriors - the last victory by a 60-54 count on Jan. 29, 1999 in Lowell.

The last time Lowell beat Andover at the Dunn was almost a decade ago, Feb. 2, 1997 by a 40-37 count.

After Andover jumped ahead 11-5 at the outset, Lowell battled back to grab an eight-point cushion at 29-21. The visitors led by six, 34-28, at the half.

Lowell was ahead 53-43 with 5:45 to play, but a 12-2 Golden Warriors run tied it 55-55 with the equalizer a three-pointer by Ian Dempsey at 3:03.

Fernando Perez temporarily stopped the bleeding for Lowell with a traditional three-point play on a layup and free throw.

Dempsey, who collected 17 of his game-high 24 points in the second half, retaliated with an old-fashioned three-point play of his own.

But junior center Perez, who scored all 11 of his points after the break, countered with a lay-in as LHS moved ahead to stay, 60-58.

Junior guard Dave Brown scored five points over the final 63 seconds as Lowell closed with a 6-3 run.

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Capt. Dempsey was game-high scorer for Andover with 24 points, 10 from the free throw line, and he heated up down the stretch when the locals charged back to tie the game.

Tristian Shannon pumped through 12 points, junior forward Peter White nine, Derrick Beasley and junior swingman Greg Cook five each, Capt. Gordon Dubois four and senior guard Jason Perry two free throws.

Jamie Shannon sparked Lowell with 21 points, five assists and three rebounds, while junior forward Matt Welch netted 14 points, six rebounds and Perez 11 points.

"DuBois did a nice job on Welch in the second half which allowed us to make the comeback and have a chance to win," said Fazio.

Player of the Fortnight

This week's recipient of the Player of the Fortnight Award is Gordon DuBois. Coach Dave Fazio says that DuBois has been a very strong team player this season.

"Gordon has really made an intense commitment to getting things done in the defensive end of the court. He has been truly selfless and has provided us with great leadership. His energy and enthusiasm are contagious, and they definitely help make us a better team. We look forward to Gordon's further contributions as our season moves along."

The next Player of the Fortnight award, this time to a girls team player, will be announced next week.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

The Andover High girls varsity basketball team made the most of its only game during a 13-day stretch (which ends today), crushing Chelmsford 69-28 in Merrimack Valley Conference Division 1 play at the Lions' Conrad Gym.

The Lady Warriors, 7-2 overall and 6-0 atop MVC 1, finally return to the court tonight (Thursday) when they host Billerica (7-5, 4-4 MVC) at the Dunn Gym (7:30 p.m.).

The 28 points scored by Chelmsford were the second fewest allowed this season (70-26 over Dracut), and the locals have now held six opponents to 45 points or less.

Coach Jim Tildsley's crew needs just three more victories in its remaining 11 games to qualify for the Division 1 North Tournament.

Schedule

AHS has a pair of road games next week, playing at Central Catholic (8-3, 6-1 MVC 1) on Monday night and at Methuen on Friday (both 7:30 p.m. varsity tipoffs).

Scoring leaders

Laura Renfro continues as the top scorer with 133 points through nine games (14.8 ave.), while Meghan Thomann has 123, Maggie Cosgrove 88, and Lauren Hughes 70.

Andover 69

Chelmsford 28

The Lions were unable to mount a challenge as visiting Andover experienced no letdown after its huge win over previously-undefeated Lowell (8-1, 5-1 MVC 1) - pounding out to a commanding 35-13 halftime lead and nearly doubling the advantage after the break.

Junior guard Laura Renfro led 12 AHS players into the scoring column, including three in double figures, with 16 points.

Junior guard Meghan Thomann contributed 14 points and Capt. Maggie Cosgrove 12, each in limited floor time, while junior guard Ilana Cohen finished with seven points and junior forward Camille Fantini had five.

Junior forward Amanda Fantini and junior center Lauren Hughes tossed in four points each while senior guard Sarah LoMedico, junior forward Kit Heinrich and junior forward Jordy Shoemaker pocketed a field goal each.

Completing the scoring with one free throw apiece were junior guards Kelly Driscoll and Catherine LoMedico.

Chelmsford, which like the majority of MVC opponents has been dominated by the Lady Warriors for almost two decades, was led by Amanda Meppelink with 12 points.

Andover held CHS multi-sport standout Hayley Comeau to just two points, and the Lions managed to connect for only seven field goals in the entire game.

GIRLS GYMNASTICS

So far, so good for Andover High first-year girls gymnastics coach Kristen Vadala, whose team improved to 2-0 with a 135.30 to 130.95 Merrimack Valley Conference dual-meet victory over visiting Dracut at the Dunn Gym.

Reigning MVC and State champ Chelmsford and Dracut were expected to be the toughest competition this winter - and Chelmsford still should be with a current 6-0 record and scoring average just over 143 points per meet.

Surprising Billerica, Central Catholic and Methuen - as well as non-league Acton-Boxboro which beat Dracut with a 137 on Tuesday night - could also provide challenges to the Lady Warriors.

Schedule

Andover is on the bus tonight (Thursday) when it treks to Methuen for a 7 p.m. meet - and what should be the meet of the year in the conference is set for next Monday night when powerhouse Chelmsford and top-gymnast-in-the-state Ali Carr invade the Dunn Gym (7 p.m.).

Carr has already registered a 9.8, 9.75 and 9.7 this season and recently recorded a school-record 38.40 all-around score.

Andover 135.30

Dracut 130.95

The Lady Warriors did not have a first-place finisher - but they didn't need one as superior depth enabled them to defeat one of the two teams that beat them last winter.

Freshman Jen Quirnbach once again led the way, finishing second all-around with a 34.00 that included a 9.1 as runner-up in floor exercise, an 8.5 for second on the uneven bars, an 8.4 for fourth in vault and an 8.0 on balance beam.

Another AHS newcomer, Stephanie Marble, contributed a strong 8.5 for second on beam and an 8.1 for third on bars.

Sophomore Kristen Coneeny was second in vault with a solid 9.0 and fourth on bars with a 7.9.

Andover took all four third places up for grabs, with Marble joined by senior Renee Coiro on beam (8.4), senior Carly Verrette in vault (8.65) and senior Becky Robichaud in floor (9.0).

Junior Lauren Colby nailed down fourth on beam (8.3).

Keeping Dracut (1-2) in contention was veteran Kendra Groswald, first all-around with a 36.20 and first in all four events after posting a 9.15 in floor, 9.1 on bars, 9.05 in vault and 8.9 on beam.

BOYS GYMNASTICS

Senior Andy O'Connell scored a school-record 51.00 points for first place in the all-around competition, and the Andover High boys gymnastics team chalked up a 149.60 in its season-opening Eastern Mass. League dual meet against visiting Burlington at the Dunn Gym.

But the outstanding individual and group efforts still weren't enough as the Red Devils prevailed, 159.60 to 149.60.

Tuesday night O'Connell came right back with a 49.60 all-around and Andover scored a school-record 153.10 in a loss to host Braintree High which racked up a spectacular 177.70 score.

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The Golden Warriors' 15-athlete 2007 roster includes seniors O'Connell (all-around), Derek Schwarz (pommel horse), Mike Tanner (rings, vault) and Rob Tornatore (rings, vault, parallel bars).

Juniors are Aaron Davidovits (all-around) and David Voyer (vault).

Sophomores are Alex Dumitresca (floor, vault), whose mother was reportedly a standout gymnast in her native Romania, Dennis Hacker (parallel bars), Bill Mara (vault, parallel bars), Damon Parker (high bar, parallel bars, rings) and Jeff Sirois (parallel bars, rings, pommel horse).

Freshmen newcomers are Chris Chu (all-around), Tyler Streb (vault) and twin brothers Adam and Mark Vetere (unlimited).

Steve Sirois returns as head coach, 40-year veteran Jack Gleason as assistant coach and George Walsh as manager.

The team will have the four seniors alternate as captains with each meet.

"We look very strong in floor and vault this year," said Gleason. "We need to work hardest on high bar and parallel bars."

Burlington and Braintree, Andover's first two opponents, are expected to be the two best in the league (and state).

"In my opinion we have faced the most talented teams," said Gleason. "I think we'll have a decent shot against everyone else on the schedule."

Schedule

AHS was home at the Dunn last night (Wednesday), after Townsman presstime, versus Newton.

This Saturday the locals will compete in the annual Salem, N.H. Invitational (10 a.m.).

The next league action is a scheduled tri-meet on Monday, Jan. 29 versus Attleboro and Lowell at the Dunn (7 p.m.).

Burlington 159.60

Andover 149.60

Andy O'Connell's monstrous 51.00 all-around score included first place in four of the six events.

He posted a 9.3 in vault, a possible school-record 9.1 on parallel bars, 8.6 on rings and 8.1 in floor even though he did not showcase his full routine.

O'Connell also registered an 8.9 on pommel (side) horse and 7.0 on high bar.

"Andy has the potential to win the all-around at the State Meet this year," said Gleason, "although we don't know yet what some of the other teams have for all-around competitors.

"We assume Andy will do even better and score higher when he puts all the elements together later this season."

Aaron Davidovits also competed all-around against Burlington and posted a 35.70 which featured a 7.5 in vault, 6.6 in floor, 6.1 on parallel bars, 5.6 on pommel horse, 5.1 on rings and 4.8 on high bar.

Other top performances for the locals were an 8.0 for third place in vault by Mark Vetere, 6.4 in floor by Adam Vetere, 6.2 in floor by Mark Vetere and 5.0 in floor by Chris Chu.

"We had a lot of firsts and seconds - but Burlington beat us by sweeping most of the third and fourth places," explained Gleason.

Braintree 177.70

Andover 153.10

Andy O'Connell captured the all-around for the second straight meet, with his 49.60 including first place on parallel bars (9.1), pommel horse (8.6), rings (8.1) and high bar (7.4).

He was also third in floor exercise (8.3) and scored 8.1 in the vault, where the scores were lower because of a shorter runway than normal.

Aaron Davidovits tallied a personal-best 37.90 in the all-around, posting an 8.1 in vault, 7.6 in floor, 6.1 on parallel bars, 5.6 on pommel horse, 5.7 on rings and 4.8 on high bar.

The Vetere twins continued to impress, Mark with a 7.7 and Adam a 7.2 in floor.

Chris Chu also contributed a solid 6.2 in floor exercise.

BOYS SWIM & DIVE

The Andover High boys swim & dive team improved to 4-1 this season with three recent dual-meet victories over Central Catholic, 96-81, Lowell, 95-70 and non-league Lexington, 90-75.

The wins over Central and Lowell set the Merrimack Valley Conference record at 2-0, virtually assuring another league championship showdown against Chelmsford at the Greater Lawrence Tech pool on Friday, Feb. 2.

Coach Mark Taffe's Golden Warriors are now 15-1-1 in their last 17 dual meets over parts of three seasons.

Schedule

Andover is off until next Tuesday when it faces Acton-Boxboro in a non-leaguer at the Colonials' pool (4 p.m.).

Next Friday the locals are at the White Natatorium in Haverhill (3:30 p.m.) to battle the Hillies in their final tune-up for Chelmsford.

Andover 90

Lexington 75

Sophomore two-event state champ Nick D'Innocenzo and junior Peter Saunders were double winners, while freshman Paul Hunter contributed a first and second, as the Golden Warriors rolled past the undermanned Minutemen in a non-league meet at the Hayden Recreation Center pool in Lexington.

"Lexington had a few kids out sick," said coach Taffe. "They're a better team than they showed - and the meet would have been closer if they had everyone healthy."

D'Innocenzo remained undefeated in individual events after touching first in both the 200-yard IM (2:05.34) and 100 breaststroke (1:05.44).

Saunders prevailed in back-to-back races, winning the 50 freestyle sprint in 23.34 seconds and the 100 butterfly in 1:58.72.

Hunter was tops in the 100 backstroke (58.69) and he also took second in the 100 free (52.06).

Junior Christian Bishop contributed a victory in the 500 free (5:16.60), and he was third in the 200 free (1:54.41).

Sophomore Mike Bakies delivered a pair of second places, both of which were state-cut performances, nipping Bishop in the 200 free by a split-second (1:54.19) and taking the runner-up spot to Bishop in the 500 free (5:18.00).

Bishop and Bakies waged a friendly 'war' in the 500, with Bakies leading most of the way before Bishop overtook him with less than 100 yards left.

The locals swept the top spot in all three relays, starting with the 200 medley where senior Capt. Dave Espindle, junior Zach Hamer, Saunders and junior Peter Li finished in 1:46.87.

The 200 free quartet of Li, sophomore Yubo Liu, Bishop and D'Innocenzo were victorious in 1:37.12, as were Saunders, Hunter, Bishop and anchorman D'Innocenzo in the 400 free relay (3:40.40) which they captured by 10 seconds.

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Espindle added a second in the 100 fly with a personal-best 1:01.28 clocking, Hamer was second in the 100 breast (1:08.39) and the 400 free team of sophomore Devon Mullen, senior Capt. Kevin O'Donnell, Espindle and Bakies took second (3:50.96).

Espindle and Hamer also had a third place each, the former in the 100 back (1:00.41) and the latter in the 200 IM (2:15.63).

Other thirds went to Li in the 50 free (24.00) and the 100 free (52.72), along with freshman Adam Millerick the 500 free (5:56.25).

Third-place relays were the 200 medley foursome of Hunter, junior Tim Russell, O'Donnell and Liu (1:55.63), as well as the 200 free group of Mullen, junior Luke Delisio, sophomore Steve Moore and Bakies (1:42.81).

Chalking up fourths were Mullen with a personal-best 2:01.47 in the 200 free, and Liu a personal-best 2:17.41 in the 200 IM.

Nailing down fifths were O'Donnell (50 free, 24.89), Mullen (100 free, personal-best 55.91) and Russell (100 breast, 1:13.98).

Liu was sixth in the 200 IM (2:17.41) and O'Donnell sixth in the 100 back (1:04.07).

There was no one-meter diving competition because the Lexington facility does not have a diving board.

Andover 95

Lowell 70

Youthful host Lowell was no match for the locals, who placed first in all 11 events contested (no one-meter diving), swept the top three places in three races and had a double win from sophomore Devon Mullen in competition at the Riddick Field House pool in Lowell.

Mullen touched first in both the 100-yard freestyle (57.00) and 100 backstroke (1:07.82).

Other individual victors were sophomore state champ Nick D'Innocenzo in the 200 free (1:54.59), junior Zach Hamer the 200 IM (2:18.45), junior Luke Delisio (50 free, 25.40), senior Capt. Dave Espindle (100 butterfly, 1:02.30), freshman standout Paul Hunter (500 free, 5:19.60) and junior Tim Russell (100 breaststroke, 1:14.49).

Hunter's 500 was the swim of the day, a state qualifying cut, while Delisio in the 50 free and Mullen in the 100 free posted personal-best times.

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The Golden Warriors were first in all three relays, opening with a 1:57.00 performance by the 200 medley foursome of Espindle, Hamer, junior Christian Bishop and anchorman Mullen.

The 200 free crew of freshman Colin Trepicchio, senior Capt. Kevin O'Donnell, Espindle and junior Peter Li was victorious in 1:47.27.

Capturing the 400 free relay in 3:53.16 was the quartet of sophomore Mike Bakies, Bishop, Hunter and Russell.

Completing the top-three sweeps were Bakies (157.87) and freshman Pete Belanger (2:25.56) in the 200 free, sophomore Yubo Liu (2:19.78) and O'Donnell (2:25.56) in the 200 free, junior Adam Kleger (1:22.66) and Trepicchio (1:23.90) in the 100 breast.

Runner-up relays were the 200 medley squad of Kleger, Russell, Delisio and junior Peter Saunders (2:04.72) and the 400 free contingent of Li, Charlie Nickerson, Saunders and Trepicchio (4:17.78).

Also second were sophomore Steve Moore (50 free, 26.00), Delisio (100 free, 1:01.00), junior Tom Demers (500 free, 6:05.38) and Espindle with a personal-best 1:15.19 in the 100 breast.

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Additional thirds were garnered by Liu (100 fly, 1:08.12) and the 200 free relay of Bakies, Bishop, junior Mike Geraci and Belanger (1:51.64).

Notching fourths were Nickerson (50 free, 32.78), O'Donnell (100 fly, 1:07.94), Belanger (100 free, 1:05.90) and Moore (100 breast, 1:23.60).

Geraci was sixth in the 500 free, while freshman diver Brad Samuels was unable to compete because of a pulled back muscle.