Andover Central has basically blown out every team this season on their way to an 18-0 start. That was until they met Andover in the battle for the city.
The Jaguars Cole Kretchmar hit three three-point-shots and answered on a four-point play to out muscle Andover, 38-33 in a defensive battle.
"It was a back and forth kind of slugfest tonight," said jesse herrmann, Andover Central head coach. "We've been in a lot of games in the fourth quarter and it didn't look like our guys were going to be able to get that one, but they are battlers and they pulled another one out."
Zack Winter led the charge for Andover Central (19-0) to get the win with 13 points. Kretchmar had 10 points, hitting nothing but three-pointers. Robert Peare and Joe Patrick combined for 22 points for Andover.
To say the first half was a defensive struggle is an understatement. Nothing but layups and fouls to follow were the only looks for either team, early on in the first half. Andover only led 14-13 at half.
"It was one of those games that was a struggle - I thought the first team to 40 would win it," Herrmann said. "Seemed like no team could get anything going offensively."
The second half was still defensive but the players were a little looser on the court. Adam DeKoning knocked down a jumper to increase the Andover (11-7) lead and went on a little run to push the lead even further before Kretchmar answered with a three ball and stopped the run, eventually taking a six point lead against Andover.
Patrick helped cut the lead with a runner in the lane and when Peare hit a three to retake the lead, the roof almost blew off.
"We tried to match their intensity and make it a 32 minute game," said Ryan Harshaw, Andover head coach. "I thought we did a nice job offensively of being patient and shortening the game at times."
Off an inbounds play, Kretchmar nailed a three from the corner and fouled on the play, giving them a lead they wouldn't give back. Andover Central hit key free throws in the final minute to ultimately walk away with the win.
"Anytime you play your rivalry game it's going to be a tough one for sure," said Harshaw.
The Jaguars remained unbeaten witht he win and likely stay on top of the ranking in 5A.
"They don't act like it's a big deal," Herrmann said. "We've tried to focus on the next game and I know thats coach speak but with this group, it's pretty easy to do that."
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Andover girls head coach Max Hamblin should be very happy with his team's bounce back effort.
The Lady Trojans used great perimeter shooting and a big second half run to top Andover Central 52-35.
"Tuesday McPherson beat us pretty bad and we just couldn't make a shot in that game," said Hamblin. "But tonight they came out ready to go and offensively did everything we wanted against them and made shots."
Aubrey Meisch, Kelsey Dick and Jaykyn Agnew combined for 42 points for Andover (13-5).
Up 21-15 at halftime, Andover was lights out from three point range in the second half to jump out to a 14 point lead that Andover Central (13-5) couldn't counter with.
Skylar Snodgrass led the Lady Jaguars with 12 points. No other player was in double figures for them Friday.
