Phillips Exeter Academy will host Andover this Saturday for the annual Winter Andover/Exeter (A/E) rivalry. Held during the final weekend of the term, A/E is the culminating moment for teams’ seasons, with all their hard work and effort finally paying off in the second-oldest high school rivalry in the United States. Andover hopes to replicate their dominant performance from last year’s winter term victory. In addition to the five varsity teams competing, four JV teams will play on the day.
Boys Basketball
Entering A/E weekend, Boys Basketball (12-10) emerges from a 6-win, 1-loss streak. Among their recent victories, the team secured a 94-50 victory against Bradford Christian Academy, outscoring it by 44 points. Last season against Exeter, Boys Basketball defeated its rival 64-58; both schools rematched in the NEPSAC Class A Finals. Exeter, however, triumphed over Andover in a 60-42 victory. As a result, the team will battle Exeter on Saturday at 3:30 PM.
Girls Basketball
This season, Girls Basketball (11-13) has seen various highlights. Notably, in its season opener, the team defeated Pomfret in a dominant 59-29 victory; in late January, it secured a 55-15 win against St. Paul’s. Last season, the team saw two victories against Exeter: at the Eight School Tournament in 57-38 and during A/E weekend in 52-44. Girls Basketball seeks further success against its rival on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
Boys Hockey
Boys Hockey (16-3-9) started the season strong, losing just one game in their first ten and winning the Flood Marr tournament for the first time in school history with an electrifying performance against Noble and Greenough in the finals. They enter A/E weekend on a hot streak with five wins in their last six games as they hope to avenge their overtime loss to Exeter earlier in the season. Boys Hockey plays away at Exeter on Saturday at 4:15 p.m.
Girls Hockey
Girls Hockey (16-3-3) are coming off an impressive season, outscoring their opponents 92-29 as they strive for a NEPSAC Championship. Notable wins included an 11-0 win against Kimball Union Academy and an 8-0 win against Brooks. Maggie Averill ’27, Caroline Averill ’26, and Molly Boyle ’25 are players to watch during the game, with all three representing Team USA at the U-18 Women’s World Championships. Girls Hockey will face Exeter at 2:00 p.m.
All-Gender Wrestling
All-Gender Wrestling (9-7) have their first A/E weekend dual meet against Exeter in history. Despite a rough 1-4 start to the season, Wrestling has rebounded, ending their season with an 8-2 and culminating in an impressive performance at the National Prep Tournament with two winners and two third-place finishers. Julian Rios ’26, 113-pound weight class, and Dani Nugent ’25, 138-pound weight class, are wrestlers to watch as they hope to cap off their dominant seasons with a win. All-Gender Wrestling will face Exeter at 3:00 p.m.
