RallyNorth.net

Newburyport outclassed by North Andover

Wednesday, January, 16 By John Shimer
Staff writer

Numbers, especially records, don't always tell the whole truth.

Such was the case last evening when Newburyport (6-4) hosted North Andover (6-3).

However, one look at the degree of difficulty of the Scarlet Knights' three losses | a one-point loss to No. 17 ranked Wilmington, a 14-point loss to No. 2 ranked Central Catholic, and a seven-point loss to New Hampshire's No. 2 ranked team, Salem | proved the visitors had a more difficult road to six wins. After all, the three losses came to teams with a combined record of 19-1.

North Andover ran all over the Clippers, 67-37, at Newburyport High.

Player for player, North Andover was just too much to handle with each one of the starting Scarlet Knights starters able to shoot from virtually any spot in the offensive end. And to top it off, the backcourt tandem of Sean McManus and Steven Boudreau | potentially the best in the CAL | scored 21 and 20, respectively.

"What can you say, we ran into a buzz-saw tonight," said Newburyport coach Tom L'Italien, whose team was only able to hang with the Scarlet Knights for the first half of the first quarter. Tied at 8-8, North Andover reeled off a 31-9 run to end the half.

"Offensively they are really sound, and they have three or four guys that can score, which makes them real tough to defend," L'Italien said. "They are well coached with good pieces, and are just a very good basketball team."

North Andover was also quite adept at pushing the Clippers big man Chris Barry out away from the hoop, taking away any post-up game, which seemed to disrupt much of the Newburyport offense. Time after time the Clippers drove to the hoop, but instead of creating for each other, they instead would force up off-balance shots that mostly did not fall.

The one player able to consistently create his own shot and put in a couple of buckets was Joe Clancy | who finished with 13 points to lead the Clippers | nine of which came in the first half. In the second half, though, North Andover keyed more on Clancy to shut down the Clippers most potent offensive threat.

"I like what the kids were saying in the locker room at halftime," said L'Italien, remaining upbeat despite the lopsided score. "I really like this group of kids, they continue to stay positive, say the right things, and fight hard."