Thu, Dec 30, 2010
08:00 PM @
Neutral Location
| Team |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Final |
| Andover |
22 |
11 |
17 |
13 |
63 |
| North Andover |
16 |
9 |
13 |
22 |
60 |
Andover holds on to win Christmas Tourney classic
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Thursday, December, 30
By David Willis and Michael Muldoon
Staff writers
By David Willis
dwillis@eagletribune.com
LAWRENCE — Andover head coach David Fazio hugged his wife, daughter, son and just about everyone within his reach.
“This was a long time coming,” said Fazio. “We’ve been the bridesmaid so many damn times over the years. It’s nice to finally be the bride. It is so special.”
Andover’s 15-year wait ended last night, as Brian Salvesen knocked down a pair of free throws with 20 seconds left, and the defense held one last time as the Golden Warriors edged hard-charging North Andover 63-60 in the finals of the Greater Lawrence Christmas Tournament at Lawrence High.
“Unbelievable,” said senior Jack Kieckhafer. “I really can’t believe it happened. We have worked for this since freshman year, and to do it for coach Faz is awesome.”
This marked Andover’s first Christmas Tourney title since winning back-to-back crowns in 1993-94. The Golden Warriors advanced to the finals each of the last two seasons, both times falling to archrival Central Catholic.
“The kids found a way,” said Fazio. “I have been coaching in this tournament for 22 years. We won the two titles early, and when you’re young you assume you’re going to do it all the time. But when you wait and the years go by and you have the tough losses in the finals and so many trips to consolation games, it’s nice to catch a little luck. Luck was on our side tonight.”
The Golden Warriors seemed to be in control after three quarters, holding a 50-38 advantage. But North Andover surged back in the final frame.
“The kids were just persistent,” said North Andover head coach Mike McVeigh. “Things started to fall for us. The hardest thing in basketball is to have a lead down the stretch when the other team is coming back.”
Trailing 60-50, the Scarlet Knights cut the lead to just 61-60 with 27 seconds left thanks to a 3-pointer for Derek Collins, two key free-throws for Zach Karalis and a pair of buckets and a free throw for Mike Moroney.
“It was a little ridiculous,” said Kieckhafer. “We kept saying that we just needed one more stop, but they kept hitting shots in our face. They are a really good team. But we were very confident.”
After drawing an intentional foul, senior Salvesen calmly swished a pair of high-arching free throws, using some body language to will both of them home.
North Andover then had a pair of looks at 3-pointers in the final seconds, but the Golden Warriors forced misses and the clock ran out, setting off a celebration that saw the Andover student section — known as the Haak’s Nest after former Warrior John Haak — charge onto the court.
“Just crazy,” said Andover senior co-captain Joe Bramanti, who was named tourney MVP. “We would hit a shot, then North Andover hit a shot. But I am so confident in my guys. The whole tournament we found a way to pull it out in the end.
“You think about all the greats that have gone through Andover and haven’t won. It is so great to bring the championship back to Andover High.”
Bramanti, the Warriors’ star guard, led all scorers with 24 points. Sam Dowden added 15 points and James Costello chipped in with nine points while both battled foul trouble.
North Andover was again paced by their star Karalis (15 points) and Collins (team-high 17 points).
“It really is indescribable,” said Dowden. “I don’t even know how long it’s been since Andover’s last title. I fouled out, and the guys needed to find one more big stop. It was just pure excitement. We were jumping up and down. We were all so emotional.”
Following the long-awaited victory, Fazio and his players savored the moment on the court.
“I’m still a little frazzled from the last few minutes,” said Fazio. “But it is an amazing win for the school. Bramanti was tremendous, Kieckhafer was great defensively. (Injured co-captain Brian) Miller was so inspirational even though he can’t play. Our kids found a way.”
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December 31, 2010
High School Basketball
Michael Muldoon
The Eagle Tribune
Fri Dec 31, 2010, 01:07 AM EST
In a tourney which was a tribute to the little guy, it was fitting that yet another unsung hero walked with the kings.
Nobody will ever mention Brian Salvesen with the likes of Ted Kelley, Tommy McLaughlin and Chris Vetrano,
But last night he earned a major footnote in the history of Andover High basketball alongside that roundball royalty.
Salvesen, who doesn't even start, drilled both ends
of a 1-and-1 with 20.6 seconds left to give Andover a 63-60 lead. North
Andover, which had trailed by 15 with 4:40 remaining, hit about
everything in a comeback for the ages, but two final 3-point attempts
wouldn't fall.
Salvesen said sheepishly, "I'm not a shooter."
Well, with 1,400 fans screaming their lungs out, he looked like Ray Allen on those two pressure-packed free throws.
Both were perfect swishes, helped by some major body English by the free-spirited senior.
"It's nice to hit them, but it was nerve-racking," said Salvesen. "If you miss, it's all you."
But when you hit them, Brian, it's all you, too!
Salvesen has the perfect demeanor to deal with the
pressure. Delightfully goofy, he'll stick his tongue out after a big
play or hold his hand out in the classic shooter's release pose after a
big shot.
"I try to be as loose as I can," he said. "I'm just chilling right now."
He missed 4 of 5 shots and hadn't attempted a free throw on the night.
No problem.
Salvesen embodied what this year's tourney was all
about. For years it has been IBM squashing the little guy with Central
Catholic (12 titles) and Lawrence (3 championships) ruling with an iron
fist the last 15 years.
Andover's Van Caraviello, who previously had been
best known for his outrageous Powder Puff football outfit — think of a
more trampy Pamela Anderson! — was the unknown giant killer with the
two huge free throws in the semifinal shocker of Central Catholic.
Greater Lawrence Tech, a Division 3 school, made the
semis for the second time in 24 years. North Andover, a Division 2
school, made the finals for the first time in 12 years and threw a
major scare into the Golden Warriors.
Andover is wearing the crown for the first time in 16 years.
At one point, MVP Joe Bramanti was joined on the
court by Salvesen, Craig Luschenat, Timmy LaBrie and Caraviello, four
players who only hard-core Andover fans had ever heard of.
But they showed they could play. They have the hardware to prove it.
Bramanti was never lacking for confidence.
He whispered the word "adayna" in Salvesen's ear between free throws.
Andover coach David Fazio explained that's been the team's theme this season. It means a belief in yourself.
"Brian Salvesen has adayna all through his body,"
said Fazio. "He could feel it, believe in it, and you know he's going
to make it."
Having somebody like Salvesen, who doesn't sweat the small stuff, was perfect.
"That's his whole game. His whole personality," said Bramanti.
Score one for the little guy.
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December 31, 2010
Michael Muldoon
mmuldoon@eagletribune.com
The Eagle Tribune
Fri Dec 31, 2010, 01:07 AM EST
LAWRENCE — With his strength, speed and leaping ability, Joe Bramanti is devastating driving to the basket.
North Andover dared him to shoot and the Andover High senior was more than willing to do that, too.
The Brama Bull canned 6 of 9 3-pointers en route to a
game-high 24 points to lift Andover past fast-closing North Andover,
63-60, in a thrilling Greater Lawrence Christmas Tourney championship
game.
Bramanti showed he meant business by nailing a
trifecta from the wing 24 seconds into the game. He added another at
the 5-minute mark of the first quarter.
He may have made the biggest shot of the game with his
buzzer-beating 22-footer — his fifth trey — to give Andover a 50-38
lead after three.
The tourney MVP's heroics enabled the Blue and Gold to capture their first title since 1994.
"This feels tremendous. Tremendous," said Bramanti.
"To do it finally, going out with a bang as a senior. Central was huge
(semifinal shocker) as well."
It was quite a three-year run for Bramanti. He
totalled 70 points at this year's tourney and 174 for his career, ninth
highest in the 36-year history of the tourney.
Like the 1,400 fans on hand, he watched with bated
breath as the Knights launched two potential tying 3-pointers in the
waning seconds.
"They were hitting everything," said Bramanti. "I was just hoping it wouldn't go in."
Tourney award winners
Bramanti was joined on the all-tourney team by
Andover's Sam Dowden, North Andover's Zach Karalis and Derek Collins,
Central's Jimmy Zenevitch and Lawrence's Jaylen Alicea, who was the
Boudreau Sixth Man winner.
Coaches Awards went to Andover's Brian Salvesen, North
Andover's Sean Erb, Central's Evan Sheehan, Greater Lawrence's Jerry
Dolce, Lawrence's Francis Spraus, Salem's Joe Gallant, Pinkerton's Alex
Patrikis and Methuen's Michael Gorman.
Central Catholic rolls
Central Catholic jumped out to a 54-19 halftime lead
and rolled to a 90-53 win over Greater Lawrence Tech in the third-place
game. Evan Sheehan, who is rounding into shape nicely from an
early-season injury, led all scorers with 24. Donald Celestin had 13
for the Reggies.
Lawrence wins big
Lawrence erupted for 47 first-half points and cruised
to an 87-63 win over Salem in the fifth-place game. Jesse Hiraldo
scored a game-high 22 points and Dawrin Pereyra had 16 points for the
Lancers. Mike Lorenz had 18 points to lead the Blue Devils.
Astros rally past Rangers
Pinkerton outscored Methuen 24-15 in the fourth
quarter en route to a 55-50 win in the seventh-place game. Chris Light
scored 11 of his 14 points in fourth and Kevin Colbert scored six of
his team-high 18 points in the quarter. Michael Gorman lead Methuen
with 17 points, including five 3-pointers.
Pinkerton 55, Methuen 50
Seventh-place game
Methuen (50): Michael Gorman 6-0-0-17, Kevin
Higgins 1-0-1-2, Jarvis Castro 1-1-2-3, Cal Carroll 1-3-4-5, James
Staples 1-2-2-5, Raudy Minaya 2-4-6-10, Ryan Freeman 1-0-0-2, Kyle
Mansour 1-4-5-6. Total 14-14-20-50
Pinkerton (55): Chad Park 1-1-2-4, Ryan Williams
1-0-0-2, Tony Amzivino 1-0-0-2, Alex Pacocha 0-0-0-0, Chris Light
5-4-7-14, Kevin Colbert 7-4-5-18, Scott Bradley 0-1-2-1, Mark
Piechowiak 1-0-0-2, Alex Patrikis 4-4-4-12. Total 20-14-20-55
3-pointers: P — Park; M — Gorman 5, Minaya 2, Staples
Pinkerton (2-2):10 15 6 24 — 55
Methuen (2-5):12 8 15 15 — 50
Lawrence 87, Salem 63
Fifth place game
Lawrence (87): Kadeem Perez 0-2-2-2, Alison Cueto
0-4-5-4, Jailen Alicea 4-1-2-11, Franklin Martinez 0-0-0-0, Yadoris
Arias 3-0-0-6, David Rivera 3-0-0-7, Francis Spraus 4-3-5-11, Jesse
Hiraldo 9-4-7-22, Trevon Farley 2-0-0-4, Jezer Rodriguez 1-0-2-2,
Anthony Rodriguez 1-0-0-2, Roberto Speing 0-0-2-0, Dawrin Pereyra
6-0-0-16. Total 33-14-25-87
Salem (63): Jonny Klecan 0-0-0-0, Matt Lologuidice
1-0-0-2, Nick Poore 2-0-0-5, Joe Dube 1-0-0-2, Zach Meisner 1-0-0-3,
Andrew Ruffen 2-0-0-6, Matthew Cannone 0-1-2-1, Jeff Meisser 2-4-8-10,
Mike Lorenz 7-4-7-18, Drew O'Shaughnessy 0-0-0-0, Joe Gallant
7-2-12-16. Total 23-11-29-63
3-pointers: L — Pereyra 4, Alicea 2, Rivera; S — Ruffen 2, Meisser 2, Poore, Meisner
Salem (3-2):14 20 18 11 — 63
Lawrence (4-1):17 30 18 22 — 87
Central Catholic 90, Greater Lawrence 53
Third-place game
Central Catholic (90): Jaycob Morales 1 3-4 5,
Tyler Nelson 4 1-2 12, Matt McDermott 1 0-0 2, Luis Puello 1 0-2 2,
Evan Sheehan 9 2-2 24, Henry Rodriguez 1 3-6 5, Jake Driscoll 0 0-0 0,
Shawn McCoy 2 2-2 6, Jimmy Zenevitch 4 0-0 8, Joel Berroa 3 1-2 7, Ben
Onett 2 0-0 4, Doug Gemmell 2 4-4 8, Mike Barry 3 0-1 7. Totals 33
16-25 90
Greater Lawrence (53): Jeremy Zamora 3 1-1 8,
Jarrett Cameron 0 0-1 0, Felix Marte 0 2-4 2, Joey Rivera-Falcone 2 2-2
7, Donald Celestin 5 3-3 13, Irving Moreno 2 1-2 5, Brian Sealy 0 0-0
0, Samuel Estrella 1 0-0 2, Christian Rivera 0 0-0 0, Melvin Moreno 1
0-0 2, Angel Jimenez 0 4-8 4, Joseph Urena 1 0-0 2, Jerry Dolce 4 0-0
8. Totals 19 14-21 53
3-pointers: CC - Sheehan 4, Nelson 3, Barry; GL — Zamora
Central Catholic (5-1):24 30 24 12 — 90
Greater Lawrence (2-4):13 6 18 16 — 53
Game Statistics:
Andover (63): Jack Kieckhafer 2 0-0 4, Van Caraviello 2 1-2 5, Craig Luschenat 0 0-0 0, James Costello 3 2-2 9, Brian Salvesen 1 2-2 4, Joe Bramanti 9 0-0 24, Timmy LaBrie 1 0-0 2, Sam Dowden 5 2-4 15. Totals 23 7-10 63
North Andover (60): Colby Smith 0 3-4 3, Sean Erb 0 0-0 0, Derek Collins 6 0-0 17, Zach Karalis 5 4-6 15, Jimmy Warden 2 5-6 9, Isaiah Nelsen 1 1-2 3, John Miller 0 0-0 0, Mike Moroney 6 1-2 13. Totals 20 14 20 60
3-pointers: A — Bramanti 6, Dowden 3, Costello; NA — Collins 5, Karalis
