Joe Bramanti Leads Andover The Mass & NH High School Basketball Report visted Andover High School last night to watch Andover's Joe Bramanti & Sam Dowden take on Haverhill's Noah Vonleh. Last night Andover got the best of the young 15 year old as the Warriors prevailed 59-50.
Joe Bramanti had 22 points including a big three to start the fourth quarter that was part of an 11-0 Andover run that stretched a 42-38 lead into a 53-38 lead with 5:00 minutes left to play in the game. Bramanti also connected on a couple of nice pull-ups and had a nice finish in transition. Sweet stroking Sam Dowden was his usual efficient self as he scored 15 points on 7 of 10 shooting from the floor and put the ball in the basket in a variety of different ways. We love Dowden as he is a complete player that gets the job done in so many different way. He started the game with a college looking pull-up off the dribble, knocked down a three that came off his hand with beautiful rotation that was all net, and had both nice right and left hand finishes in this one. Dowden also competed hard and was active on the glass for the Warriors.
As far as Noah Vonleh, he really never got a chance to get into this one as he got his first foul less than 30 seconds into the game when he was dribbling East-West and no advantage was gained. He got his third foul with over two minutes left in the first quarter on a charge that was taken with the defender standing under the basket and falling down before the contact. What should of been an and-one turned into a game changing foul that put Vonleh on the bench for the remainder of the first quarter and all of the second quarter.
With three fouls, Vonleh for the most part became the designated passer on the offensive end. The 6'7" phenom ran the point, and found the open man every time the help came. As a result, Haverhill was 10-23 from behind the arc (all open looks) and stayed close until Andover's fourth quarter run. Vonleh finished with 6 points on 3 for 8 shooting, had 12 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 8 assists in 2 1/2 quarters of play. Vonleh, who had received his second big time offer from Pittsburgh just yesterday had Syracuse long time Associate Head Coach Bernie Fine in attendance to see him. Vonleh need not worry, at 6'7" he plays above the rim, can play five positions on the court, and has a very high basketball I.Q. Last night it was quite impressive to watch him run the offense from the point guard position. He's as good a 15 year old as I've ever seen. The future is big and bright for Mr. Vonleh.
Andover moved to 1-1 with the win and Haverhill starts the season 0-1.
