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Bramanti, Andover take shot at greatness; Warriors gun down Hillies

Friday, January, 28 By Hector Longo

Boys Basketball
Hector Longo

HAVERHILL — Every time, the Brama Bull, Joe Bramanti, rumbles onto a local basketball floor, the stakes skyrocket.

First and foremost, according to his coach, it's because of the uniform and what those before him have done in it.

"Every night, from here out, he's playing for his Andover High legacy, against the Vetranos, Stockwoods, all of them," said Andover coach David Fazio, after his senior captain dropped in 18 points in a 76-62 win over Haverhill High here last night.

"He's got the Christmas Tournament. (Kirk) Stockwood's got two. (Matt) Gibson has one. But what else is Joey going to get. Can he take his team past that Paul Bellacqua team that made the North finals and lost. Again, it's what he's playing for."

But there is more.

Bramanti busts off every screen, fights for every inch on defense and muscles his way for every point as part of his own personal quest, to prove he belongs in Division 1 college basketball.

It's a gamble he admits he took in the preseason when he turned down a full ride at Division 2 Stonehill and walked away from a substantial scholarship/aid package from Dartmouth.

"I'm rolling the dice a little bit here, trying to find the best situation for me," said Bramanti, noting that the Stonehill offer remains on the table even today.

"I talked to just about everyone in the decision. My family was a big part of it, Faz was a big part of it. And my AAU coaches had a big part, too. I'm just looking for the right fit for me.

"The Stonehill offer was tough to turn down. And Dartmouth is a ridiculous academic school, tough to turn down. At the same time, you have to weigh your options."

Bramanti isn't ready to forge an opinion on his choice to gamble and wait.

All he can do is play and let that do his talking. So far, it's tough to argue with the results.

Despite losing his running mate, big man Brian Miller, to injury, Bramanti willed Andover to its first Christmas tourney title in over a decade. He's been remarkably consistent, scoring 20.4 points a game, all the while being prodded, cajoled, coaxed and driven by Fazio for just a bit more.

Bramanti battles and excels for the chance that somebody might be watching.

"It's tough to get people to come to Andover High School basketball games. The MVC is a great conference, but college coaches are looking to prep school atmosphere," said Bramanti, who noted that Brewster Academy remains a definite option as well.

"I have to forget about all that stuff, and just do what I can on the floor."

The effort has thoroughly impressed Fazio, right from the opening night, but don't expect the coach to relent now.

"He's had a spectacular year, just spectacular," said Fazio. "But I know he's got another level of play at. And if we are going to be special, if we want to do more than just be happy with that Christmas Tournament, he has to find it."

LUSCHENAT LIGHTS IT UP

Andover High junior Craig Luschenat led four Warriors into double figures last night with 21 points. The Warriors needed every bit of it to counter Noah Vonleh's volcanic eruption of 31 points and 18 rebounds, holding off the Hillies, 76-62.

Luschenat buried four of six 3-point tries in his night, helping Andover back on the winning track after Wednesday's loss at Lawrence.

The Warriors, now 9-3 overall, got 18 points from Bramanti, a dozen from Brian Salvesen and 11 from Sam Dowden to inch closer toward locking down a state tourney berth.

Vonleh spent much of the night imposing his wll on the other end, both from inside and out, despite attracting gobs of attention from the Warriors.