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Andover's amazing sophomores

Twelve is nice. Eleven is impressive. But the number that stands out the most in Wednesday’s 56-43 Andover win over Central Catholic might be three ... the number of sophomores in coach Jim Tildsley’s starting lineup. This is no surprise to MVC regulars. But the results continue to amaze.

Guards Meghan Thomann (15 points) and Laura Renfo (12 points) each netted four three-pointers as the Golden Warriors (12-0 overall, 8-0 in the MVC) captured their 11th consecutive home win over Central (10-2, 6-2), a streak dating back to Central’s inception.

“You can say what you want about that but I think it’s motivation if anything,” said Red Raider coach Susan Downer. “[Winning in Andover] was a goal of ours heading into the season. We talked about it before the game. I don’t know what else it takes to motivate these girls.”

Central Catholic managed just 13 first half points. Junior guard Maggie Cosgrove (15 points, 5 assists) anchored the Golden Warrior defense.

“Maggie took [MVC all-star guard] Andrea Lozeau out of the game,” said Tildsley, who also puts sophomore Lauren Hughes on the floor. “Everything comes out of our defense. [Melissa] Lucas still got her rebounds but she’s going to. She’s a great player but we made her work.”

Lozeau, held scoreless in the first half, finished with 7 points. Lucas finished with 12 points and 15 rebounds. Mary Moccia led all scorers with 16 points in the losing effort.

“We can’t rely on two people to do everything,” said Downer. “The overall intensity was not what we were looking for and we shot ourselves in the foot so many times. [Central committed 21 turnovers].”

While the Raiders did attempt several comebacks after the intermission, each was answered by an Andover three. As a team the Warriors shot 10-for-23 from behind the arc.

Renfo, who struggled with her shot in the games leading up to last night, connected on three consecutive 3-pointers early in the second half.

“I told her to keep shooting,” said Tildsley. “I told her they were going to shy off Maggie and Meghan, she had to keep taking her shots.”

The two will meet again Feb. 13 at Central Catholic, a place the Warriors have had limited success.

“It’s tough to win on the road,” said Tildsley. “We don’t win there either. Both programs have too much pride and protect their own courts.”

In addition to the three sophomores, Tildsley’s starting lineup also features Cosgrove, the catalyst at both ends of the floor, who is only a junior. At 12-0 it’s scary to think that the Warriors might actually be better next year.

Andover’s guards make their offense go (and they have since the graduation of Ashley McLaughlin two seasons ago). Emily Pallota is the only major contributor to the Warrior backcourt who will not return next year. A spark plug defensively, the Warriors will miss her tenacity and energy off the bench.

That said, Thomann and Renfo are each deadly from behind the arc. Cosgrove runs the Andover offense to perfection while giving the opponents best guard fits with a full court pressure.