MIAA D1 Title Game: Championship Central

<span style="font-weight: 400;">A battle of two of the best teams in the MIAA capped off the ’21-’22 high school season. Andover, led by forwards [player_tooltip player_id="184004" first="Anna" last="Foley"] and [player_tooltip player_id="184016" first="Amelia" last="Hanscom"], faced off against Springfield Central. The dynamic duo of [player_tooltip player_id="281183" first="Amany" last="Lopez"] and [player_tooltip player_id="184018" first="Julie" last="Bahati"] has been a handful for teams all season long, so this was a fun matchup between two Massachusetts heavyweights. Springfield Central got off to a scorching hot start and dominated the first quarter 20-2. Knowing how good Andover was specifically on defense, you knew there would be a comeback, and they dominated the final three quarters. Led by the 6’3’’  Foley, who owned the interior, scoring 21 points and could not be stopped. Down 39-30 after three quarters, Andover kept up the defensive pressure and held Springfield Central to 4 total points in the final 8 minutes. Cutting the lead to three late in the game, Andover had two chances to tie and send the game into overtime but did not convert. Springfield Central was crowned MIAA D1 Champions after a 43-40 victory. </span> &nbsp; <strong>Player of the Game: </strong> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-404350" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/03/0E31B8B9-3491-40A9-8D52-C00C32E70930-crop-1242x816-1648155278-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="281183" first="Amany" last="Lopez"] | 5’8’’ | PG | ’23</strong> <span style="font-weight: 400;">I named Lopez MVP of the game, not because she led Springfield Central in scoring, but because she had the most clutch defensive play of the night. Lopez sealed the game with an interception late in the 4th as Andover pushed the ball in transition. Lopez’s athleticism, instincts, and awareness were reminiscent of a cornerback in football. It was a heads-up play that ultimately sealed the win for her team. </span> &nbsp; <strong>Springfield Central Standouts:</strong> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-404352" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/03/C4789583-D5AD-4E81-8CE5-BD6080768B8C-crop-1242x816-1648155327-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="184018" first="Julie" last="Bahati"] | 6’2’’ | PF | ’23</strong> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Bahati dealt with foul trouble on Sunday, but you saw her impact on both sides of the floor when she was in the game. The intimidating shot-blocking is what stood out immediately. She tracks down shots better than most, and it is hard to get good shots when her 6’2’’ frame and long wingspan meet you at the rim. Bahati also chipped in 8 points, including a couple of fundamentally sound post moves that showcased her footwork and finishing ability. </span> &nbsp; <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-404357" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/03/0ED21DD6-A454-418D-B7B9-090F0D0F5713-crop-1242x816-1648155736-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="404356" first="Jordyn" last="Robinson"] | 5’9’’ | SF | ’23</strong> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Robinson finished with 7 points and gave Springfield some scoring punch on the perimeter. She has three-point range and nailed one during the teams’ massive scoring run in the first half. Robinson has good size at the wing, and she uses her strength well inside to be a factor around the basket and on the boards.</span>