By Blake Chadwick
After a strong season last year, finishing 23-2, Andover lost a significant amount of production with its senior class. Now, they will be led by a really good junior class headlined by Grier Hand, Sam Siegrist, and Asia’h Sullivan.
Grier Hand, a junior shooting guard, brings versatility and leadership to the floor.
“My biggest strengths are being a versatile player and my ability to shoot off of the dribble,” Hand said. “This year, I want to be the kind of leader that brings everyone together — the ‘glue’ of the team. I like helping my teammates work through struggles, keeping us focused, and holding the team accountable because I know what we’re capable of.”
Hand has been playing basketball since age five and has already earned all-league honorable mention.
The second junior, a shooting guard, Samantha Siegrist, has been playing since she was five and brings scoring, defense, and leadership to Andover.
“My personal goals for this basketball season are to grow as a leader both on and off the court. I want to play my best, push my teammates in practice along with in games, and also build strong connections with my teammates,” Siegrist said. “As a team, our goal is to make it all the way and win state. To do that, we need to play smart, unselfish basketball, take pride in our defense, and have competitive practices where everyone is improving.”
Last season, she shot 35 percent from three-point range and earned honorable mention all-league honors.
Asia’h Sullivan rounds out the trio, contributing both scoring and playmaking for the team. Sullivan averaged close to eight points and 3.1 assists per game last season. Sullivan is also part of a defensive unit where four players averaged at least two steals per game, giving Andover a balanced and aggressive presence on both ends of the court.
“My goals for this season are to win the state championship and do good in our midseason tournament,” Sullivan said.
