BASKETBALL BOYS Even after a 63-49 loss at Exeter last season, Andover is confident that it can grab a win in the rivalry game this year at home. Andover believes that playing on its home court will help propel the team to victory. Andover has improved immensely in the final stretch of the season, and is looking to capitalize on the struggles of a fairly weak Exeter team, who is 1-14 on the season. “It will be a little nerve racking before the game and in warm-ups, but once on the court and in the flow of the game, it will just be like any other game,” Ryan Hartung ’12 said, who will be playing in his first A/E game. “This will likely be the last time I play organized basketball in my life, so I hate to use the cliche about going out on a high note, but there’s no better way to do it than with an Exeter win. I’ve never beat Exeter in basketball, so it’d be a great way to end my career at Andover,” Hamel said. GIRLS Last year, Andover Girls basketball battled a close game against Exeter, but suffered a heartbreaking 48-51 loss in the final moments. This year, after an easy 54-43 victory against Exeter earlier this season, Andover seeks revenge. Despite this season’s early win, Andover still expects tight competition from Exeter, who comes into the game with a 12-8 record. Coach Lani Silversides said, “[Exeter] will be fierce, looking to make up for the loss against us earlier in the season.” Rivalries aside, both teams depend on this game for home court advantage in the playoffs, so the stakes are high. Andover’s main focus for its matchup against Exeter is on defense. “Exeter has twin sisters (both seniors) that are really the heart of the team,” said Silversides. With strong on-ball defense, Andover plans to pay stingy defense and let its aggressive offense take the lead. HOCKEY Andover Boys Hockey will take to the ice Saturday against rival Exeter looking to snap a two-game regular season losing streak against its rival. Andover suffered a heartbreaking 1-2 overtime loss to Exeter at the start of the season. “We need to work hard at staying out of the penalty box, which we couldn’t do last game. We’ve been doing a better job of keeping the opposition of the perimeter,” said Coach Dean Boylan. A lackluster performance by Andover last season ended in a disappointing 1-6 loss. Andover looks to rebound this year. Garnet Hathaway ’10 said, “The crowd has always been unbelievable against Exeter, and it has always been a game to remember. It’s easy to get excited for, but also easy to get lost in the atmosphere. Everyone knows what this rivalry means, and they’ll be ready to play. GIRLS Last February, plagued by injury, Andover took the ice against Exeter. After a tough game, Andover seized the win. Then last March, Andover earned another exciting win over Exeter when Andover had a scoring frenzy in the last two minutes of the second period to win the game. After not qualifying for the playoffs this year, Exeter is the final opponent Andover will face. Earlier this season Andover and Exeter faced off at Exeter. The two rivals clashed on the ice for three hard periods. After, three the score was tied at two all. In overtime, an Andover goal was recalled and the game ended in a bittersweet 2-2 tie. “Our previous match-up against Exeter this season was tough and ?physical. They have some very talented players, but we as a team are ?able to take them. As long as we ?play together, as a team.?Sports aren’t a math test, all that matters is how you ?play in the moment, not the statistics,” said Kellie Walsh ’11.
