Boys’ Basketball Takes Down Andover in Thriller

E/a: the biggest game of the season, because no matter your record, if Exeter beats Andover, it has been a winning one. But that’s not to say that Big Red basketball didn’t already have a successful season in its own right.Despite going .571, which doesn’t look great on paper, having a net score of +6.2 points per game and outscoring opponents 1101-971 sheds a better light on what happened this season; the boys fell through in a number of close games. There were five games this year decided by less than five points as opposed to only two losses that had point margins of more than fifteen, and with a bit of luck, the team could’ve logged four or five more wins.Nevertheless, Exeter entered this year’s E/a hot off a 33-point decimation against Tabor, one NEPSAC Class A power ranking slot above Andover (7 and 8, respectively) and an eight-point win over them earlier in the season, giving Big Red hopefuls a reason to turn out for the game. Those lucky enough to have gone, witnessed much more than what they anticipated.At the start of the game, the small gym wasn’t packed with fans. Those who were there were treated to a combined six first-half turnovers from senior Tony Karalekas and post-graduate Jeb Helmers. The offence was working but the shots weren’t falling. Andover’s hostility had taken its toll, and when the first leg of the battle was complete, Exeter was down by seven.During halftime, Andover tried to hype up their fans. The step team/cheerleaders performed a routine, the primate mascot said a little cheer, and the pep team was rallying their crowd. However, more and more Exonians began to pour through the doors, and by the time the second half had begun, the crowd’s atmosphere was in Big Red’s favor. The tides were turning, and the pressure that had been resting on the team’s shoulders had suddenly been directed at Andover. The jeers and chirps from the crowd rattled them, and with seven minutes in the second half, the game was tied. This time around it was Andover’s shots that weren’t fallingAndover was collapsing upon itself, or so it seemed. Exeter was in the lead and racing to the end of the game, when Andover caught a second wind and put up a pair of baskets to keep it close. With 1.5 seconds left in the game, Andover was up 55-53 and it looked as if all was lost. Naturally, the Andover fans were going wild and preparing to storm the court. Unfortunately for them, today was just not their day.After a miraculous shot by Helmers following a missed free throw, Exeter continued to thrash, bash and embarrass Andover in overtime. After swapping baskets for a minute or two, Exeter stepped on the gas and put up a mighty ten uncontested points, shutting down Andover and crushing their dreams of victory, 70-61.“That was the craziest E/a game I’ve ever been a part of,” Karalekas said. “We had contributions from everyone and our younger guys stepped up in big roles.“Amazing atmosphere,” said post-graduate JD Slajchert. “We could not have gotten it done without our fans.”With the win against Andover, Big Red put themselves in a solid spot for this year’s NEPSAC playoffs, facing Tabor Academy last night in the first round at home. The boys won 69-54. With the win, Big Red has advanced to the quarterfinals where they will play BB&N at home and will be counting on Exonian fan support to secure the win.