Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Central Catholic | 10 | 15 | 10 | 18 | 53 |
Andover | 17 | 21 | 15 | 15 | 68 |
Monday, December, 29 By Michael Muldoon
NORTH ANDOVER — What better way to punctuate a memorable win than with a monster dunk.
It was if all the heartache that Central Catholic had inflicted on Andover in recent years was being flushed along with the basketball when tourney MVP Connor Merinder seem to soar to the rafters for a monstrous slam.
Andover beat Central Catholic for the second straight year to repeat as champions of the Licare Division at the Commonwealth Motors Christmas Classic.
Those two wins, though, have been amid much heartache. Heading into last year’s Commonwealth finale, Central had beaten Andover 22 of the last 23 meetings. Then last March, the Raiders ousted Andover in a North finals classic.
The 6-5 tri-captain Merinder did a little bit of everything (12 points, 7 rebounds, 4 blocks, 1 jaw-dropping dunk) as Andover had the game in hand most of the way en route to a 68-53.
Licare Division Awards
MVP: Connor Merinder, Andover; All-Stars: Dantae Neal, Lawrence; Tanahj Pettway, Central; David Giribaldi, Andover; E.J. Perry IV, Andover; Boudreau 6th man: Sam Lara, Central. Coaches Awards: Brian Triglione, Central; Ryan O’Connel, Andover
Licare Championship
Andover (68): E.J. Perry IV 5 8-9 19, Ryan O'Connell 3 1-2 7, Perry Wynn 0 0-0 0, David Giribaldi 5 8-12 19, James Nyamwaya 0 0-0 0, Gabriel Hernandez 1 2-4 4, Connor Merinder 3 5-6 12, Jonathan Rodriguez 3 0-0 7. Totals 20 24-33 68
Central Catholic (53): A.J. Pettway 1 0-0 2, George Grillakis 0 0-0 0, Brian Triglione 1 0-0 3, Victor Mwaurah 0 0-0 0, Jeremy Urena 0 0-0 0, Tanahj Pettway 6 1-2 17, Kevin Fernandez 7 5-6 21, John Homsey 0 2-2 2, Colin Bradanese 0 0-0 0, Ian Carmichael 2 2-2 6. Totals 18 10-12 53
3-pointers: A — Perry IV, Giribaldi, Merinder, Rodriguez; CC — T. Pettway 4, Fernandez 2, Triglione
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