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Amesbury falls to North Andover in CAL showdown

Wednesday, January, 23 By Evan Mugford
Staff writer

What senior Bre Comeau said about her teammates after succumbing to a streaking North Andover basketball club spoke volumes, "I love them to death. I wouldn't want to play with anybody else."

This quote says it all about a basketball team that | despite a 4-7 record | has a unified and endearing approach to hard work and sportsmanship.

North Andover (7-5) squeaked by Amesbury, 41-36, last night at the Amesbury Middle School gymnasium, despite a valiant effort by an Amesbury team that truly wore its hearts on their jerseys.

The game started off well for both clubs, with each team moving the ball and finishing around the hoop. Scoring at will at times, Comeau was faking nearly every Scarlet Knight out of their sneakers with a variety of pumps and spin moves.

"That's my dad. He taught me those moves," said a smiling Comeau whose improved basketball skills are also in part to a Boston College camp. "BC camp was great, but my dad, he's helped me a lot."

Despite the forward's exciting post play, a series of missed free throws saw the Indians down at the quarter's end, 14-7. Comeau, Indians coach Chris Barry and fellow captain Kate Hathaway (12 points, 8 boards, 2 steals) all expressed the same viewpoints, "Too many missed free throws, and too many second chances."

The second quarter began with each team trading hoops, but the tight-knit Indian defense was beginning to build swagger. Seniors Jacqueline Brockmyre and Kendall Connors, along with junior Gabrielle Magnifico and sophomore Rebecca Crochiere all collected much-needed steals, stunting the North Andover transition game. In addition to their thievery, the Indians' ability to swish their free throws saw the halftime lead cut to four, 21-17.

"Our defense is our strong point," states Hathaway. "We all try really hard. That's where everything starts."

The second half began with the Indians carrying their momentum and eventually notched their second lead of the game(they scored the game's initial basket). Comeau (15 points, 9 boards, a block and a steal) continued the damage by blowing by her opponents and finishing nicely off the glass. Strong play by Scarlet Knight sisters Nicole Zahoruiko (14 points, 9 boards, 3 blocks) and Erika Zahoruiko (9 points and 4 rebounds), as well as crisp passing by Mariah Dellea (5 assists, 2 blocks, 2 steals) helped North Andover remain focused. At the end of three quarters, a strong Indian comeback tied the game 27-27.

The remainder of the game saw each team swapping leads. With 4:21 left, Amesbury went up three, 32-29, but after a few troublesome turnovers, the Indian offensive attack could only muster four more points, inevitably sealing their fate.

"It came down to a lot of missed free throws and lay ups," exclaims Barry. "We're playing better. We're playing hard. It's just unfortunate it's not producing wins."

With their next game at a struggling Lynnfield court, Comeau and Co. expect greater results.

"We're a different team with each game played," Comeau said. "And our next game is our main focus."