By LIONEL TIPTON
ANDOVER, Kansas – A year ago, Andover’s girls took a glossy 22-0 record into state, advancing to the Class 5A semifinals and finishing third.
Even with the graduation losses of Brooke Walker and Alana Shetlar, this year’s Trojans have been nearly as successful in the regular season and sub-state.
Andover, seeded third in 5A West, used an 18-8 second quarter to erase a Bishop Carroll lead that reached nine points, then outscored the Golden Eagles in the second half by 10 points for a 59-45 victory Friday night in the sub-state final.
This year’s Trojans will carry a 21-1 record into next week’s state tournament in Emporia, where they are likely to be seeded third in the eight-team field and have a potential matchup with No. 6 Kansas City Piper (18-4).
“It’s really exciting to go back to State,” said senior Aliyah Green, who tied for the team-high with 15 points. “The team works really hard. Last year, we didn’t quite get to show what we had … so this year, we’re hoping we can go back and show what we’re made of.”
Green got into early foul trouble, picking up her third in the first two minutes of the second quarter but managing to avoid fouling out.
Trojans coach Hannah Alexander said it did get scary at times early in the game.
“Fouls played into it, having to sit Aliyah, missing some easy shots … I think we just needed to relax,” Alexander said. “We were super-tight in the beginning – I thought we came out like we were ready and loose, then we kind of tightened up when they applied some pressure (and) made us feel uncomfortable.
“So, I do think this game was fun. It was scary, but I was super-thankful for it. I definitely think this is going to get us ready for the next three games, because I thought it was tough, and it was gritty, so I’m super-excited for next week.”
Her advice after the early hole was just to maintain trust, Alexander said.
“Trust the work ethic, trust what we’ve done all season long,” she said. “Just mainly relax and breathe – that was the main thing. We know how to make the big plays; we just needed to take a second and take a deep breath.
“I thought I did a better job (Friday night) using my timeouts for them.”
Losing Walker, Shetlar and Anna Jittawait affected the team leadership, Alexander said.
“(Last year’s seniors) laid the foundation,” she said. “I think these girls are find their own way to contribute and help one another be successful. I think that’s part of it (is) leaning on each other when you need to, and I think this group does a very nice job of complimenting each other and pushing each other, day in and day out at practice.”
Alexander credited senior Aneila Williams with pulling Green aside at halftime and offering some advice on what she could do better in the second half.
“Sometimes things that go on not even on the floor makes us the team that we are,” Alexander said.
Junior Avery McCorry almost singlehandedly kept Carroll in the game, scoring nine of the Golden Eagles’ 16 first-quarter points. She triggered a comeback after Andover jumped out to an 8-2 lead. Carroll took its first lead of the game when senior Megan Simon twice scored in the lane in a span of 27 seconds. Senior guard Lillian Martin’s three-pointer gave the Golden Eagles their largest lead, 19-10, early in the second quarter.
However, the Trojans kept chipping away, and a 13-4 run tied the score, 23-23, on senior Aliyah Green’s layup with 2:34 before halftime. Sophomore Sam Siegrist’s short jumper put Andover back in the lead, and the Trojans led, 28-24, at halftime.
“We went in there at halftime, regrouped – we were just playing a little fast, especially with taking the shot clock off. We’ve gotten so used to trying to score quick, trying to get stuff done. We just kind of regrouped, run through our plays. Most importantly, stay together, play together. When people were stressed out, just go find one of your teammates.
“Hopefully, we’ve got three more games in us. We’re just going to keep pushing one game at a time, find who we’re playing, scout them, try to go out there and play to the best of our abilities, and hopefully get that ’ship this year.”
Green managed to get inside for a number of easy layups in the second half, when she scored 11 of her 15 points. She also suffered through a disaster at the free-throw line, missing eight of nine tries.
She said it makes her transfer from Hutchinson all the more worthwhile.
“Transferring here was scary – I didn’t know a lot of people,” Green said. “I’m just so thankful for these people around me, these girls, getting to go to State with them, all the games I’ve had with them means so much to me. When I moved here, I wanted to find my people, and I feel like I did.”
Bishop Carroll (16-6) bounced back in the third quarter and took a brief 30-28 lead before sophomore Grier Hand’s three-pointer from the left baseline gave Andover the lead for good, 33-30, midway through the quarter.
Carroll never led after that. The final margin of 14 points was Andover’s largest of the game. Meanwhile, the Golden Eagles kept experiencing empty trip after empty trip down the floor, and Andover took advantage.
Going back to State as one of 5A West’s top eight teams is the perfect way to close the careers of Andover’s four seniors – Green, who transferred in from Hutchinson two years ago; Evans, Anelia Williams and Brodie Christensen.
Evans, who got Andover rolling with a couple of first-quarter three-pointers, said going back to State validates the expectations.
“(Going back to State is) super-important, we wanted it really bad, especially for those who were doubting us early in the season after losing Brooke and Alana,” she said.
“It means the world.”
The Trojans seniors have had to step up and lead, Evans said.
“I think we’ve been having a lot of good, vocal leaders from the seniors,” she said. “Aliyah and I have been helping to guide these sophomores, and they’ve taken their roles seriously. They all work together well as a team.”
Like Green, Evans said it’s a matter of prolonging the senior season.
“We’d better get three more games,” she said.
Christensen has enjoyed her time on varsity.
“All four years have been really fun,” she said. “Going to State changes everything. It definitely teaches you adversity. Winning a trophy is really fun. It makes us really close as a team.”
But those seniors’ departure won’t be a crippling blow for Andover next season, with a talented sophomore class that includes Bella Bouddara, Sullivan, Siegrist and Grier Hand returning. They are already making their presence known, with Bouddara (10 points), Asia’h Sullivan (15) and Hand (11) with double-figure games Friday.
Sullivan’s total included four key free throws coming down the stretch. She said it was just a matter of calmness.
“We started playing together as a team, and started calming down and running our plays,” she said. “Just playing how we know we can. We picked up the intensity and our defense.
“We’re all really ready to get back (to State).”
For Bouddara, two trips to State in her first two years makes for a great start to her Andover career.
“We just lost Brooke and Alana … but we still have our core people,” she said. “So, getting to go to State twice with everybody feels great.
“Last year, we ended not how we wanted, so we have another chance to fix that.”
The senior class has provided key guidance, Bouddara said.
“Leadership (from the seniors) is always there,” she said. “If you’re down on yourself, there’s always somebody trying to boost your confidence, picking you up, and trying to teach you something if you mess something up.”
As the sophomores assume leadership roles next year, Bouddara said she’s ready.
“I love the group that I play with,” she said, “and I think everybody is always bouncing and learning from each other. There are leaders everywhere; it just depends on who wants to be a leader every night.
“Asia’h and I have been playing together for so long; it’s going to be great.”
McCorry finished with a game-high 20 points, and Martin had 15 for Carroll.
The sub-state results mostly followed the seeding in the West, with No. 1 Hays, No. 2 Seaman, No. 3 Andover and No. 5 Maize South advancing. In the East, No. 1 Spring Hill, No. 2 Piper, No. 5 Lenexa St. James Academy and No. 6 Overland Park St. Thomas Aquinas are State-bound.
“Every game from here on out is going to be tough,” Alexander said.
Andover girls 59, Bishop Carroll 45
Bishop Carroll 16 8 13 8 – 45
Andover 10 18 12 19 – 59
BISHOP CARROLL – McCorry 7 (1) 5-6 20, Martin 3 (2) 7-8 15, Steven 0 1-2 1, Simon 3 0-2 6, Mount 0 1-2 1, Zachman 1 0-0 2. Totals 14 (3) 14-20 45.
ANDOVER – Evans 2 (2) 0-0 6, Green 7 1-8 15, Bouddara 3 (2) 2-3 10, Sullivan 4 (1) 6-9 15, Hand 3 (2) 3-4 11, Siegrist 1 0-0 2. Totals 20 (7) 12-24 59.
