RallyNorth.net

Methuen blows by Knights for 3rd

Wednesday, November, 29 By Mac Cerullo

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.

This time, it wouldn’t be nearly as dramatic.

Methuen dominated North Andover 76-44 to take third place in the Commonwealth Motors Christmas Classic, smothering the Scarlet Knights early before blowing the game wide open early in the second half.

The game started off slow, with the two teams combining for six points in the first three minutes, but Methuen pulled ahead over the ensuing possessions to take a 10-4 lead after the first quarter.

The teams traded runs in the second, with North Andover keeping it respectable, but then Methuen senior Andrew Marcelino knocked down a 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer to make it 35-20 at the break, and things snowballed from there. Methuen led by 21 by the end of the third and only continued to build on its lead from there.

Kevin Fernandez led Methuen with 25 points in what coach Anthony Faradie called his best game of the season. Andrew Marcelino was a monster in the paint, tallying 14 points and 16 rebounds, Evan Hardy knocked down four 3-pointers en route to 14 points, and freshman Uriel Cirineo had 7 points and 8 rebounds.

North Andover was led by Chim Ogwuru (14 points) and Connor Rogers (11 points). Rogers also received North Andover’s Coaches Award, and Evan Hardy received the award for Methuen.