Andover Girls Win Round 1 Against Central

Natalie Gomez-Martinez/Andover Too Much For Central

The Andover High (#1 ranked team) and Central Catholic (#2 ranked team) girls met last evening for the first time this season in the Greater Lawrence Girls Christmas Tournament at Methuen High School. The number 1 and number 2 ranked team in Massachusetts met in what will likely be the North Sectional division 1 final come tourney time. In this one, Andover prevailed 53-43 behind 15 points from our #1 junior Nicole Boudreau and 12 points from Marist University bound Natalie Gomez-Matinez (our # 2 senior). It is well known that Gomez-Matiniez and Boudreau are the best high school guard tandem in Mass. They are both electrifying players and a whole lot of fun to watch. Gomez-Matinez is as good as anybody we've seen at creating space off the dribble. Boudreau is a sharp shooter that can also finish off the dribble. Boudreau, although only a junior, has already committed to play at Boston College.

Both young ladies also have a great understanding of the game, and when they are both healthy, they will nearly be impossible to beat. If this round 1 game told us anything, it told us just that. When you consider that Boudreau only made one 3-pointer, Andover as a team was a dismal 2 for 13 from behind the arc, and Gomez-Martinez was just 6 for 19 from the floor, you wonder if Andover can be beat. The answer is, I don't think so.

However, if the Warrior can be beat, it is Central's height that gives them the only real chance in Eastern, Mass. Merrimack College bound 6'0" Melissa Miller (our # 13 ranked senior) had 10 points and 11 rebounds and was a huge factor in this game. 6'0" sophomore Casey McLaughlin (our #4 ranked sophomore) posted big numbers including 12 points, 14 rebounds, and 2 blocks. We predicted that McLaughlin would have a break out year for the Raiders, and if we judge by early results, it seems we are right on point.

Andover moved to 5-0 on the season and advanced to the semifinals of the Christmas Tournament against Lowell on Monday. Central is now 3-1 on the season.