RallyNorth.net

Andover sophomore Shea Krekorian had a season-high 19 points on four 3's, but her No. 12 Warriors fell to No. 4 Belmont, 68-46, Saturday night in the Division 1 North quarterfinals.

Gia Bramanti delivered a career day, erupting for 31 points to lead No. 12 Andover to a 58-43 upset victory over No. 5 Revere in the first round of the Division 1 North tournament. 

LAWRENCE — Her numbers don’t jump out at you, but there is no questioning Katie Kirsch’s value to the Central Catholic girls basketball team.

Senior Emily Sifferlen hit a free throw in the final seconds to lift North Andover to a 44-43 victory over rival Andover, but did her best work on the defensive end. Sifferlen (17 points, 9 rebounds) held Andover's Gia Bramanti (8 points) to below her season average of 13.1.The Knights (10-9) qualified for the state tournament with the win.

Andover's girls zoomed to a 16-1 lead after the first quarter and led 36-10 at halftime on their way to a 68-30 qwin over Lawrence. Improving junior Sarah Sullivan led four players in double figures with 12 points.

Junior Gia Bramanti scored 18 points and classmates Taylor Landry and Sarah Sullivan added 12 and 11 respectively as Andover's girls clipped Methuen 60-47 to improve to 7-7.

Freshman Tatum Shaw exploded for 21 points to lead Andover to a 74-28 victory over Haverhill. Taylor Landry added 16 points for the winners.

LAWRENCE - Andover was not going to give up its Commonwealth Motors Christmas Classic championship without a fight.

The No. 4 Warriors calmly chipped away at a 12-point halftime deficit, and thanks to a massive performance from junior Gia Bramanti (28 points) sent their semifinal matchup with top-seeded Bishop Guertin into overtime.

LAWRENCE - Caroline McDonald knows as well as anyone that this year's Andover team is vastly different than the one that won the Commonwealth Motors Christmas Classic a year ago.

They're younger, without their two top scorers and under a first-year head coach. Even worse, they were off to an 0-2 start heading into yesterday's opening round of the tourney.