RallyNorth.net

Unsung hero Alois key in tourney opener

Friday, March, 02 By David Willis
Staff writer

ANDOVER — Maybe it was a premonition, maybe it was just excitement, but school was torture for Andover’s Jackie Alois yesterday.

“I could barely sit through class,” said Alois with a chuckle. “I just wanted the game to start.”

Once the ball tipped, the junior forward set off on 25 minutes of diving, hustling and scoring to help lead the top-seeded Golden Warriors to a 52-35 victory over pesky No. 9 Acton-Boxboro in the Division 1 North quarterfinals last night.

“Jackie did a spectacular job tonight,” said star guard Nicole Boudreau, who set the all-time area record for career points during the game. “If we didn’t have Jackie and (her sister) Rebecca we wouldn’t have won this game.”

With the victory, the Golden Warriors advance to face their archrival, No. 12 Central Catholic which shocked No. 3 Westford.

“(Acton-Boxboro) is a tough and scrappy team,” said Alois. “We played them to end the regular season and they were just as tough then.”

Alois, who entered the night averaging just 4.4 points a game, struck for 11 crucial points on drives to the basket when her teammates were struggling.

“This is the best game Jackie has played all year,” said teammate Devon Caveney. “It was a great game to step up and play her best.”

But the 5-foot-6 sparkplug’s greatest contributions were on the defensive end, where she checked UNH-bound Elizabeth Belanger, limiting the 5-foot-10 guard to just 12 points on 5-of-16 shooting while chasing her around the court for nearly the entire contest.

“Her defense was impeccable,” said Golden Warrior senior Olivia Biles. “She was just great. She really stepped up.”

Alois also grabbed six rebounds, tied with Boudreau for second on the team, while making two steals — one of which when she hit a layup then dove for a steal, receiving congratulations from teammates.

“Jackie was immense tonight,” said coach Jim Tildsley. “Covering Belanger, she did a great job staying out of foul trouble and played big minutes.”

It was a performance for Alois reminiscent of her 12-point night in the state title game a season ago. Her sister Rebecca added an impressive day with a team-high eight rebounds and four steals.

“I’m not used to putting up that many points,” said Alois. “The defense was obviously going to guard Nicole, so I got some layups and they were happy for me.”

The Golden Warriors looked like they may run away with the game early, opening the contest on a 9-0 run. But the Colonials hung tough, and even cut the lead to six, 35-28, late in the third.

But a layup by Ally Fazio, a 3-pointer by Boudreau and a stellar crossover and layup by Angelice Gonzalez to start the fourth gave the Golden Warriors a comfortable lead.

Boudreau once again led the way, scoring a game-high 20 points while grabbing the six rebounds and five steals. She also chipped in with three blocks, including a highlight-reel stuff in which she ran in from the side to knock the ball out of bounds.

Sixth man Gonzalez was a spark off the bench with seven points and four rebounds.

Andover now sets its eyes on Central Catholic, which the Golden Warriors have beaten all three times they have played this season. The time and location at TBA.

“We are so excited,” said Fazio. “It is always a great game against them, and Casey McLaughlin is back, so it will be a tough game.”