Defending champion Andover gets back to work

December 14, 2011|By Cat Calsolaro, Globe Correspondent, Globe Staff

By Cat Calsolaro, Globe Correspondent

Andover, the two-time defending Division 1 girls' basketball state champion, defeated host Chelmsford, 81-57, Wednesday night. It was the Golden Warriors’ first test without All-Scholastic guard Natalie Gomez-Martinez, now at Marist College.

“First game, first win,” said coach Jim Tildsley. “The first game is always tough, everyone is kind of nervous."

Playing without her former backcourt mate, Boston College-bound Nicole Boudreau didn’t appear nervous at all, putting her team on her back with a 30-point performance.

Chelmsford looked up to the challenge, trailing 18-16 after the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Lions found senior captain Jen Janiak (20 points) who drained three open 3-pointers to keep her team in the game.

“Chelmsford came out and shot the ball very, very well, and our defense wasn't any good at all,” said Tildsley. “I think the last minute-and-a half of the first half that was our team.”

By the end of the half, Andover's full-court press began to wear on the Lions. Boudreau hit a 3-pointer to extend the lead to 41-32 going into the locker room.

In the third, Andover dominated the boards and forced multiple turnovers.

Chelmsford couldn’t find a clear shot and Andover had a solid 62-45 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

“We have to be good defensively in order to win. We can get in shootouts, but we have to stop people,” said Tildsley. I was happy with how we played in the third quarter, we put the game away.”