Andover edges rival North Andover, 50-43

There wasn’t a seat to be had inside Dunne Gymnasium some 15 minutes before the Andover and North Andover girls tipped off for the fourth time this season, this time with a spot in the Division 1 semifinals on the line.

And befitting of the two rivals, for the fourth time in as many games, the outcome wasn’t decided until the final seconds.

Despite a nearly superhuman effort from Hannah Martin, who scored a game-high 24 points for the visitors, it was the top-seeded Golden Warriors (24-0) who made just enough plays down the stretch to pull out a 50-43 win to remain unbeaten and earn a date with Wachusett in the semifinals.

“Man, do I have so much respect for Hannah, Jackie (Rogers) and everyone on that team,” Andover coach Alan Hibino said. “To go against them four times in one season is such a challenge. This was a classic MVC basketball game between two heavyweights.”

There was nothing separating the teams for most of the game except for a two-minute stretch at the beginning of the second quarter when Michaela

Buckley and Ella Vidoni combined for three straight three-pointers that turned a one-point North Andover (16-7) lead into an eight-point deficit, one they had to chase the rest of the night.

Martin’s driving layup in the final seconds of the half and a three by her to begin the third quarter cut the lead to two at 27-25. From there it was a seesaw battle the rest of the game.

Amelia Hanscom, who led Andover with 17, and Buckley (14 points) helped the Golden Warriors take a 36-31 lead to the fourth.

“With the team we have, when one person scores, it seems like everyone can,” Hibino said.

Andover pushed its lead to nine twice early in the fourth but Martin and Sydney Rogers weren’t ready to throw in the towel for North Andover as they led an 8-2 run that cut the gap to five and with the ball and a chance to get closer.

But a steal from Hanscom and a layup by Buckley made it 46-39.

From there, North Andover got as close as 4643 with :11.7 left on the last of Martin’s points but two free throws from Emma Foley and Hanscom in the final seconds finally allowed Andover fans to exhale.