The only regret from the boys basketball season is that we only got to see Javi Lopez vs. Josh Roux twice this year.
Fierce rivals in the winter and former AAU teammates in the summer, Central Catholic’s Lopez and Andover’s Roux played to huge, sellout crowds and delivered on a nightly basis, each anchoring deep runs into the Division 1 state tournament.
As a sports staff, we lauded the Merrimack Valley Conference coaches for voting Lopez and Roux as their conference co-MVPs.
The Eagle-Tribune will do the same as the Raider senior Lopez and the Warrior junior Roux will share our 2026 Eagle-Tribune Player of the Year honors.
Lopez, who will soon graduate Central and head off to play and study at Brandeis, leaves the school as its all-time leading scorer.
Some wondered if he and the Raiders might take a step back after a loss to Roux and the Warriors in December. Lopez silenced the murmurs with a monster closing campaign that included a Commonwealth Motors Christmas Classic championship.
He finished the year averaging 29 points, eight rebounds and four assists for 22-3 Central, the Division 1 state runner-up.
“Javi is a professional scorer at the high school level. He’s going to be efficient, and he’s going to be what he was,” said Central coach Mark Dunham. “He’s a way better kid than he is a basketball player. That’s saying a lot.”
Roux, currently campaigning this spring in AAU ball for the nationally acclaimed Mass. Rivals USSB team, took the Warriors on a magical winter ride to the Division 1 state semis.
“It’s hard to put into words what Josh has done for Andover High School basketball,” said coach David Fazio. “He’s a talented kid, but more than that he’s just a competitor and a winner. He plays with such amazing heart. The entire school community feels that and wants to be a part of it.”
Roux, already a 1,000-point scorer with one year to go, led the Warriors in a 21-3 season.
“He’s already one of the greats we’ve ever had,” said Fazio. “We’re just happy we get him back for one more year.”