The sequence was startling.
Tied at 38-38 deep into the fourth quarter against the host team in the finals of the St. Mary’s of Lynn Spartan Classic, Andover High freshman Lexi Linsey took matters into her own hands.
Pullup from 15 … swish.
Wing three … bang.
Another pullup off the drive … money.
And a step-back three from the slot … dagger.
Ball game, tourney title and one resounding warning shot to any future Warrior opponents.
“I looked at the scoreboard, we needed to score points,” said Linsey. “I thought the energy from our team really helped us keep going. Kiera (Lenihan) made some great passes, and I relied on the hard work I’ve put in.”
The Spartans, with three Division 3 state titles in the last four years, are no tomato can. To the contrary.
They came into the Andover game at 19-2, rated No. 3 in Division 2.
And Linsey, who missed a huge chunk of the season with a finger injury, coming back in late January, helped the Warriors to a huge, confidence-building tourney win.
“I think we came in to this tournament looking for a way to get better. I don’t think we’ve won it in the past, and we’re just looking to constantly improve,” said Linsey.
“It was really good competition, super fun to play against Newton North and Saint Mary’s.”
Instead of getting frustrated during her time off the floor, Linsey made the most of the difficult situation.
“It was tough to watch the team, because I couldn’t do anything to help,” she said. “But it was fun to watch them. I just did what I could to provide energy.”
A Christmas Tourney knee injury to returning Eagle-Tribune All-Star guard Elizabeth LaRovere certainly forced the Warriors to scramble.
Freshman Brooklyn Murray delivered admirable minutes on the point. Sophomore sharp-shooter Kallie Martin has helped out with the ball-handling as well.
“We just figured out how to play our roles better. Make the right plays with the ball in our hands and play together,” said Linsey, who has waited and stepped in to do anything necessary to win.
“I think we just, every single game, work as hard as we can. Coming in, we had a lot of freshmen. We’re still growing, constantly looking for ways to get better. We’re relying on each other through the ups and downs.”
The Warriors, who finished at 19-1 and unbeaten in the MVC, found a way.
Linsey wasn’t sure what to expect coming into the year with such a talented cast around her.
“You never really know, but I thought I worked pretty hard in the offseason,” she said. “I knew I had to play every single minute, like a playoff game and just go as hard as I can.”
Roux, Warriors set for Classic title game
Andover’s Josh Roux admits it:
“The win (Friday night at Central Catholic) would have been better than the 1,000 points.”
Still, when he topped the mark in the tough loss, meaning the Warriors and Raiders would share the MVC1 title, Roux certainly took pride in the accomplishment.
“It shows the hard work I’ve put in,” said Roux, a returning Eagle-Tribune Super Teamer.
Friday night’s performance by Roux was certainly a testament to how far Roux has come in three seasons at Andover. Simply put, he didn’t shoot it well.
So he spent the 32 minutes doing everything else he could, attacking the rim, defending, rebounding, running the floor – and until some serious foul issues ultimately doomed Andover — he had them on a five-point lead midway through the fourth.
Oh yeah, Roux finished the “tough shooting night” with a game-high 30, despite Central sending a battery of defenders at him.
Roux and the Warriors have a bit more unfinished business until they turn the page to the postseason.
Wednesday night (6 p.m.), they close out the regular season with the Warrior Classic Tournament championship game against Newton North.
The 13-5 Tigers may just be only the No. 21 team in Division 1 right now, but they come into this one off a couple nice wins over BC High and Cambridge.
“We watched them (Monday night), and they’re better than what their ranking is,” said Roux. “I think we’re playing pretty well right now. We had a tough one on Friday and responded pretty well yesterday.”
Of course, the region’s hoop fanatics are already praying for what would be the ultimate. With Central at No. 1 and Andover currently No. 2 in the power ratings, the potential for a rubber match exists – in what would be the dream Division 1 state title game at Tsongas Arena in Lowell.
“I think they’re really talented team and a really well-coached team. And we are a talented team and a well-coached team,” said Roux. “Every time we play them, we know it’s going to be a war. I would love to see them again. They love to compete. We love to compete. I don’t think another matchup would be too bad.”
Raiders deliver, now they wait
It’s probably a good time for a school vacation over at Central Catholic.
With her Raider girls (8-12) positioned precariously on the edge of the Division 1 tourney, 30th in Tuesday’s most recent power ratings, Casey Grange might not be sleeping too well until the weekend.
“I’m a little nervous until I see it officially on paper on Saturday (when the tourney pairings are released),” said Grange.
“We definitely hit rock-bottom at Dracut a couple weeks ago, and I’m proud of the kids for sticking with it and bouncing back. I hope our seniors get to experience the tournament one more time, and I hope our young girls can get a taste of what it’s like to play in it.”
Central was in deep trouble heading into the weekend, coming off three straight losses, including Monday night’s tough 61-53 MVC Cup loss to No. 10 Billerica.
The Raiders rebounded nicely, though, going 2-1 over the weekend, to solidify itself at 30.
“(The tourney) was definitely a goal we set for ourselves. We knew we’d be going through growing pains and taking hits this year. It’s been a challenging and trying season,” said Grange. “At the end of the day, the girls are sticking with it. We’re just trying to get a little better every day. We’re finding small wins, building on the successes. They’ve bought into that recently. It’s very important for the program to make the tournament. I hope it happens.”
The Raider program has only missed the postseason once, in Sue Downer’s final season of 2014-15.
Ironically, Downer, an assistant on Grange’s staff, has been a key to the late Raider resurgence.
“She kind of fixed our offense and put a new perspective on the season for me,” said Grange. “She just told me to simplify things. We did. It’s different than what we’ve done in the past couple years. She’s made it easier for our players to be successful on the offensive end.”
Senior captain McKenna Devanney has played mega-minutes all year and has most recently found a new level of success. Meanwhile, freshman Addie Holmes-Lavallee has been pouring it on lately.
Pena, Raiders close with authority
After beating Andover High Friday night, there was no letdown for the Central Catholic boys and especially sophomore Elkin Pena heading into the weekend’s Comcast Tournament in Boston.
Pena, who has been a dominant force down the stretch for the Raiders, wanted a shot at former Central great Jaycob Morales, who coached Pena both in AAU and at the Lawrence Boys and Girls Club.
Morales has built his Masconomet Regional program into a Division 2 powerhouse in his two years there, and the teams met in Sunday’s Comcast final, won by the Raiders, 56-52.
Pena had a big part in the win, a theme that has recurred almost nightly of late.
“I have taken a bigger role (recently). I’ve noticed a lot of the energy has to come from me,” said Pena, now counted on as a Raider double-double machine.
“Javi (Lopez) is Javi. He does what he does and we count on him. But I noticed that when we play our best, our ancillary pieces — me, Jordan (Marion), Drew (O’Keefe), Poopie (Jeremiah Almanzar) – have to step it up.”
Pena has put in the work, focusing on defense and attacking the glass ruthlessly.
“I started to realize it’s been more about the defense this season. We’re going to win games with rebounds and free throws. I had to be that guy,” he said.
At 6-foot-3, Pena is the tallest Raider in the regular rotation. And he’s making the most of the opportunity and the responsibility.
“The coach (Mark Dunham) and the team believe in me,” Pena said. “I have to be aggressive no matter what. Whatever it takes to get it done.”
Tourney talk
Around the region, it looks as though the Methuen High boys, who split over the weekend at the Concord-Carlisle tourney, will be in the postseason.
Coach Ryan Middlemiss’ crew is 9-11 but sits comfortably at No. 26 in the latest D-1 rankings. …
The 9-11 Ranger girls are hoping for some help. They sat just outside looking in at No. 33 in the rankings and will need some help. Methuen trailed No. 32 Marshfield (5-14) by just .2439 points. …
Haverhill High’s boys could be on the road for a play-in game. They currently reside at No. 33 at 11-9. A win in the opener will likely grant the Hillies another shot at top-rated Central Catholic, at least as things currently stand.
The Haverhill girls, 9-11, did not qualify. …
Greater Lawrence Tech’s boys put up a fierce fight in their Spartan Classic opener against a 17-1 Newburyport squad. The Tech, now 13-7, is hoping for another deep run in Division 3 after reaching the quarters a year ago. …
The GLT girls have qualified in Division 4, and Whittier Tech rounds out the area combatants, making the Division 3 field.