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Andover wins Division 1 title with rout of East Longmeadow

Posted by Staff  March 13, 2010 05:35 PM
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WORCESTER – Andover had four goals on its checklist. Entering the season, the Golden Warriors wanted to win the Merrimack Valley Conference, the Christmas tournament, and the Spartan Classic. And all hands were on deck to make sure their final aspiration became a reality:  a state championship.

Sophomore Ally Fazio showed poise from beyond the arc, sinking four treys. Junior guard Natalie Gomez took advantage of defensive holes, driving her side-armed layup to the basket. And although seniors Dianna Bill and Alex Alois didn’t produce a bevy of points, they combined for 15 rebounds.

The Golden Warriors were a walking cliché, their performance the embodiment of an all-around team effort, as Andover defeated East Longmeadow, 73-37, for the Division 1 state title at the DCU Center.

“Overall, as a team, I think it’s the best we’ve played,” said Andover coach Jim Tildsley. “We played some great basketball the last half of the season…So I’m just extremely happy for these kids.”

Andover (25-3) began the first by going on a 7-point run. Senior forward Krista Ferrentino, who was the only player to post points for East Longmeadow in the quarter, tapped in a layup to bring the Spartans within 5.

The Golden Warriors continued to wreak havoc, with sophomore guard Ally Fazio (12 points) sinking two treys and sophomore Nicole Boudreau (18) another, during a stretch in which they outscored East Longmeadow by 17 points. Gomez showcased why she’s so deadly, sinking a field goal, garnering a steal, and then going back for the layup to cap the initial frame. Andover notched a convincing 24-5 lead entering the second.

“Freshman year I came here and it wasn’t one of our best games,” Gomez said in reference to Andover’s state championship lost two years ago. “I just wanted to show that we had this year.”

Although Ferrentino (19 points, 15 rebounds) had sank a field goal and then a freebie to start the second quarter, it was senior guard Laurie Bonano who became the second player to post points for her team on a basket a minute into the period. East Longmeadow (19-5) had cut the deficit to 14 about three minutes into the period, but that’s the closest the Spartans would inch.
In the final five minutes before halftime, the Golden Warriors outscored the Spartans by 16 points, which included four shots from beyond the arc. Andover carried a 42-16 lead into the half.

End of game: Andover 73, East Longmeadow 37

The blow out is over.

1:57, Fourth quarter: Andover 71, East Longmeadow 33

They're not running the clock but all the subs are in and they're making their time worth it on the court.

5:34, Fourth quarter: Andover 70, East Longmeadow 28

Andover coach James Tildsley has subbed out stars Natalie Gomez and Nicole Boudreau.

6:58, Fourth quarter: Andover 65, East Longmeadow 26

Arielle Ward scored a bucket in the lane, drawing the foul for East Longmeadow but was unable to complete the 3-point play. She's been steady going to the paint, but hasn't been able to connect until now. The bucket was Ward's first points of the game.

End of the third quarter: Andover 61, East Longmeadow 24

Natalie Gomez has hit a three and gotten a couple of fastbreak buckets as Andover has widened its lead to end the quarter.

East Longmeadow just doesn't look like it can keep up, especially with Andover firing from the outside so accurately. They've got 11 3-pointers in the game.

Gomez has 19 in the game.

6:26, Third quarter: Andover 47, East Longmeadow 18

Nicole Boudreau hit yet another three for Andover. Her team is pushing the lead with the deep ball. They have nine in the game.

End of the first half: Andover 42, East Longmeadow 16

Andover ends the half with only one worry: Krista Ferrintino. Ferrintino has put 10 points in the first half, carrying her team. East Longmeadow has three other scorers on the board two points each.

Nicole Boudreau leads Andover with 13 points. She's hit three 3-pointers. Natalie Gomez has 12 points in the game while Ally Fazio has nine.

1:10, Second quarter: Andover 37, East Longmeadow 16

Nicole Boudreau with another three for Andover. Andover has seven on the game so far.

3:32, Second quarter: Andover 29, East Longmeadow 14

East Longmeadow's Krista Ferrintino continues to pound the ball down low for her team, but Andover is pushing along despite her output. Ferrintino has 10 of her team's 14 points.

End of first quarter: Andover 24, East Longmeadow 5

Andover has jumped on East Longmeadow in the first period, with Natalie Gomez, Ally Fazio and Nicole Boudreau have each put up nice shots, and hit at least one of the team's 3-pointers.

2:04, First quarter: Andover 15, East Longmeadow 5

Ally Fazio gets her second 3-pointer for Andover while E. Longmeadow's Krista Ferrintino comes alive. She's got all five of her team's points.

4:16, First quarter: Andover 10, East Longmeadow 2

Andover has jumped to a nice lead in the first quarter. Ally Fazio has hit a 3-pointer for the team.

6:28, First quarter: Andover 7, East Longmeadow 0

Natalie Gomez has already started hot, draining a 3-pointer for Andover.

--

WORCESTER — We're live blogging from the DCU Center in Worcester as Andover takes on East Longmeadow in the Division 1 championship girls game.

For a preview of the game, go here.

Follow along on Twitter at @GlobeSchools

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Several reporters and editors contribute updates, news and analysis to the High School Sports Blog.

  • Bob Holmes: A Reading resident (Go Rockets!) and Boston College graduate, Holmes is the Boston Globe High School Sports Editor. We remind you now that his weekly picks are often made in jest so everyone just calm down when he picks against Everett for 11 straight weeks. Contact him at rholmes@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @GlobeHolmes.
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