RallyNorth.net

METHUEN — North Andover had an opportunity to make a major statement on Tuesday, nearly beating highly-touted Methuen before the Rangers came back to win on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer.

METHUEN — North Andover had the skill, talent and heart to stay with Central Catholic but, unfortunately for the Scarlet Knights, they simply had no answer for big men Sam Lara and Colin Bradanese.

METHUEN – Last week when Methuen and North Andover first faced off, the Rangers needed to erase a 13-point deficit in the final minutes before winning on a buzzer-beating three.

North Andover topped upset-minded Chelmsford in OT, 83-72. Matt Rosenthal scored 23 points and put on a show from deep with 7 3's. Connor Rogers (15 rebounds in game, 28 points, 10 points in OT) and Jake McElroy (15 points) also starred.

Connor Rogers was on target, scoring 31 points to pace North Andover's boys to a huge 74-66 win over Lowell. Rogers was 8 for nine for 2-poiunters, 2 for 4 for 3-pointers and 9 for 9 from the free throw line as the Knights improved to 14-5. Chim Ogwuru had 10 points and held Lowell star Alex Rivera to three points in the second half. 

North Andover (12-5) clinched the MVC small championship with a commanding 77-43 win over rival Tewksbury. For the Knights, Chim Ogwuru and Connor Rogers each had 12 points.

North Andover pulled out a tough 70-65 overtime win over non-league foe Pope John. Connor Rogers had 21 points and Jake McElroy added 18.

Jake McElroy hit eight 3-pointers on his way to a career-high 30 points as North Andover rolled over Beford 76-48. Matt Rosenthal added 3-pointers and 11 points for the winners.

Matt Rosenthal nailed five 3-pointers and scored a game-high 19 points to lead North Andover in a 79-41 rout of Dracut. Sophomore Jake McElroy added 16 points on four 3's.

Not only did Jake McElroy lead North Andover with 16 points, he also held Haverhill's Joey Fenderson scoreless in a 63-45 Knights victory.