Max Lippe ’11 led Andover to a 3-0 week, scoring 16 points, including four three-pointers, in Andover basketball’s 63-57 victory over Tabor Academy on Wednesday. After a big win last week against Worcester, Andover opened the week against a much weaker Thayer team. However, the team struggled to assert itself in the first half, heading to the locker room with only a 31-30 lead. “Our players were trying to force the game in the first half,” said coach Leon Modeste. “We’re not a team that needs to constantly run up and down the court.” Andover came back strong out of the locker room for the second half, outscoring its opposition 20-4 in the first few minutes. After more similar play, Andover ended the game victorious with a lopsided score of 81-59. Modeste said, “Throughout the second half, we improved by making extra passes to get better shots and not allowing them to run on us.” Andover then set out to face St. Sebastian’s at home. Lippe opened up the game with a three-pointer, but St. Sebastian’s was quick to respond, jumping out to an 11-5 lead and threatening Andover early in the game. Barry hit a spectacular behind-the-back reverse layup through two opposing players to get some momentum going for the team, and O’Connell hit two consecutive threes to take the lead back. O’Connell finished the game with 12 points, going four for five from behind the arc. “St. Sebastian’s played a very packed in zone which left huge seams on the perimeter, perfect for shooting threes,’ said O’Connell. “We also had great ball movement which enabled me to get such great looks.” Andover finished the half with a 20-7 run, enough to leave the court at halftime with a comfortable 34-22 lead. The second half was simply unfair for St. Sebastian’s, as Andover outscored them 41-22 to end the game with a 75-44 win. Andover’s points were spread out evenly in the game, as five players scored ten points or more. “This just shows how balanced our team is,” said captain Mark Hanson ’11. “Every player brings something unique to the team and has the ability to lead the team in scoring. The following Wednesday, Andover allowed Tabor to take an early 13-11 lead with nine minutes left in the half, but the team quickly fired back with an 18-5 run and finished the half with a 31-18 lead. Andover was able to keep a steady ten-point lead for most of the second half, but Tabor began to close in on its lead at the end of the game. After some rough play by both teams, the referee called a double technical foul with three minutes left in the game. Tabor eventually brought the score to 53-52 near the end of the game, but Andover pulled away after consecutive threes by Barry and Ryan Hartung ’12. The clock ran out with a score of 63-57 in Andover’s favor. After the very successful week, Andover can enjoy an eight day break before facing Brooks next Thursday.
