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Andover successfully takes to the court

Tuesday, December, 13 By Jeff Hamrick
Staff writer

ANDOVER — No matter what else might be happening around the program, Andover still had a boys basketball season to kick off last night. And playing the game is something the Golden Warriors have always known how to do.

Finally hitting the floor after more than a month of controversy surrounding a hazing incident, Andover quickly quieted visiting Methuen before running off with a 63-49 Merrimack Valley Conference victory.

“I have all the guys that I have tonight,” coach David Fazio said of his revamped rotation that featured only one senior. “I’m so proud of these kids having an opportunity to play and playing so well. I can’t speak to who I could’ve had, would’ve had, should’ve had.”

If there were any concerns that the Golden Warriors would have trouble finding focus, they were erased after Andover scored the game’s first 10 points. Andover then used a 14-6 run to start the second quarter to grab a 30-17 lead with three minutes remaining in the first half.

“All these kids want to do is play basketball,” said Fazio, now in his 23rd year at the school. “This is what they dream of doing. I think (last) night’s game was a relief for them because they finally got the opportunity to show what they’ve been working on. I knew they would be ready.”

The Warriors were 12 of 27 from the floor in the first half and finished the game 25 of 52. They committed only four of their 11 turnovers after intermission — one in the fourth quarter.

Maybe the biggest court surprise was Andover opening the game in a zone, which the Warriors used most of the game.

“You saw more zone tonight than we’ve done in 22 years,” Fazio said. “It’s early season. We need to keep some guys out of foul trouble, and I think pretty much everyone knows that.”

James Costello, the only senior on the roster, scored a game-high 19 points while junior Sam Dowden and Chris Dunn added 15 and 12, respectively.

Methuen, which trailed by as many as 21, was led by Kyle Mansour’s 18 points. No other Ranger had more than 7 although 10 players had at least 2.

“I told them from Day 1, we knew this would be our first game, and we told the guys to go out there and play Methuen basketball,” first-year Ranger coach Matt Curran said. “We have a great group of guys. Our goal was just to beat Andover on the court.”