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Caveney leads Andover to state title game

Tuesday, March, 09 By Chris Smith
Staff writer

BOSTON — Andover’s Devon Caveney knew her job yesterday was to shot the basketball after seeing that Mansfield was heavily guarding the two top shooters on her team in a Division 1 state semifinal contest.

“I had a wide open shots because they were all over Nicole (Boudreau) and Natalie (Gomez-Martinez),” she said. “I was focused and ready and I wanted to win.”

Caveney, just a freshman, provided a tremendous spark off the bench for the Golden Warriors. She played 19 minutes, scored 19 points, was 4 of 9 from 3-point land and made two steals to lead Andover to a 60-52 victory over Mansfield at the TD Garden.

Andover advanced to play in the Division 1 state championship game at 5:45 p.m. Saturday at the DCU center against the winner of Shepherd Hill and East Longmeadow.

Caveney even put the dagger in Mansfield when she converted two free throws with 1 minute remaining in the game to put Andover ahead by 10 points.

“She’s been an unbelievable freshman," coach Jim Tildsley said. "She plays with poise and for her to come in tonight in the first half and make (two) 3s in a row that was incredible and it got us going and we got off to a good start. Give credit to her.”

Caveney did hit pair of 3s in the second quarter while scoring eight points that period. At point, she put her team ahead by 13 points.

Mansfield fought back though late in the third period and came within six points at 43-37 at the end of three.

But Cavney and teammate Ally Fazio went to work early in the fourth to build the lead back up to double digits.  

As Caveney, Fazio and the rest of the Andover lineup took the court to begin the fourth, Fazio’s dad, David Fazio, yelled to his daughter to play like she was the best player out on the court.

“He basically just told me I was the best,” Fazio said. “He was just trying to get my confidence up because I was just really struggling at the beginning of the game.”

Fazio smirked at her dad a little but she took his advice.

She shot just 2 for 9 from 3-point range and 3 of 12 from the field during the game but knocked down a 3-pointer 38 seconds into the quarter to put her team ahead 46-37.

About 30 seconds later, it was Caveney’s turn. The freshman drove to the basket and made her layup while getting fouled. She then completed the three-point play to put Andover ahead 49-37.

“She drives the ball pretty well,” Tildsley said. “She’s only going to get better. She made a great three-point play there with the right hand. That was unbelievable.”

Mansfield responded with a 3-pointer :15 later to cut the deficit to nine points.

But :09 after that, Fazio again stepped up and hit a jumper to build the lead 11.

“Ally struggled at the beginning but she came out and shot it big,” Tildsley said. “That’s what it’s all about.”

Meanwhile, Cavney also provided a spark off the bench in the third with her hustle. She entered the game with 3:56 left in that period and almost immediately was on the ground wrestling for a ball and nearly made a steal. She also showed some hustle early in the fourth when she forced a jump ball, which gave her team possession.

 She said coming off the bench is stressful sometimes.

“It’s a lot of pressure sometimes when we’re not doing so well,” she said. “I know I need to step it up. Today I think I did. And I’m thrilled.”

Fazio scored 10 points. Gomez-Martinez scored nine. Nicole Boudreau added 13.

Alex Alois collected 13 rebounds.  

Dianna Bill had six points and nine rebounds.

"We didn't play as well as we could but we got a good win and we've got one left," Tildsley said.