Sun, Dec 21, 2014 05:30 PM @ Neutral Location

Team	1	2	3	4	Final
North Andover	6	13	11	17	47
Westford Academy	7	8	8	9	32

Commonwealth Classic: Collins' return sparks Knights over Westford

Tuesday, December, 23 By Dave Dyer

By Dave Dyer ddyer@eagletribune.com — Posted: Monday, December 22, 2014 1:00 am

NORTH ANDOVER — It didn’t take long for North Andover’s Megan Collins to get back in the swing of things late Sunday afternoon.

Just seconds after taking the court in the first quarter, for the first time all season after recovering from compartment syndrome surgery, the 5-foot-8 senior swished a 3-pointer.

That gave the Knights a spark following a dreadful start to the game, cutting a 7-3 deficit to 7-6 to end the first quarter. She later added another 3-pointer and was 7 of 9 from the line for 13 points.

That, combined with Leah Chittick’s 13 second half points, helped carry the Knights past defending champion Westford 47-32 in the Stephenson Division semifinals of the Commonwealth Motors Christmas Classic.

“I’m thrilled to have her back,” said North Andover coach Megan Ryan, whose club is now 3-1. “She’s definitely a factor for us. It’s been great to have Leah on the floor but having two seniors out there makes such a difference.”

Collins said that she felt “a little out of shape,” but that the first shot sure felt good.

“I was excited to be out there,” she said. “It was tough just watching.”

That first quarter was particularly tough to watch. Collins had North Andover’s only field goal in the frame and the Knights were just 1 of 11 from the floor.

But Collins scored five more points in the second quarter, with Abbie Karalis and Moassia Bede adding two field goals apiece, and the Knights took a 19-15 halftime lead.

With Westford (0-2) struggling offensively for the second straight game, North Andover was in the clear the rest of the way.

“Westford is a good defensive team and I think we made some adjustments after the first quarter,” said Ryan.

Westford was still within striking distance heading into the fourth quarter, trailing just 30-23, but three 3-pointers by Chittick fueled a 17-point final period for the Knights that helped them pull away.

North Andover will play in the Stephenson finals Dec. 29 at 6:15 p.m.

North Andover 47, Westford 32

Stephenson Semifinals

North Andover (47): Carrabes 0-0-0, Sifferlen 0-0-0, Chittick 5-2-15, Karalis 3-1-7, Mencia 1-0-2, Collins 2-7-13, Bede 2-0-4, Lougbo 2-0-4, Davies 1-0-2. Totals 16-10-47

Westford (32): Doremus 1-1-3, Desrochers 3-0-9, Smith 0-0-0, Julia Libby 2-0-5, Jess Libby 1-1-3, Mulhern 1-0-2, Bramanti 1-3-5, Ross 0-1-1, Alibrandi 1-0-2, Russell 1-0-2. Totals 11-6-32

3-pointers: NA — Chittick 3, Collins 2; W — Desrochers 3, Julia Libby

North Andover (3-1): 6 13 11 17 — 47

Westford Academy (0-2): 7  8  8  9 — 32