Simpson Clutch in OT Thriller

With his team down three and 24 seconds left to play in regulation, Woburn point guard Mickel Simpson took the ball the length of the floor, hit a layup and got fouled by North Andover’s James Warden.

Simpson, a senior, would finish the three-point play to force overtime with the score tied, 49-49.

“My philosophy is if Mickel has the ball at the end of the game, I’m going to try and let him make a play,” Woburn coach Tom Sullivan said.

In overtime, after North Andover’s Zach Karalis nailed a three-pointer to put his team up one, at 54-53, with 35 seconds left, Simpson came right back and scored on another drive to the basket for what would be the game-winning shot.

Sixth-seeded Woburn would defeat No. 3 North Andover 57-54 Sunday afternoon on the Scarlet Knights’ home court in the quarterfinals of the Division 2 North sectional.

Simpson, who had a game-high 24 points and grabbed nine rebounds, also had a drive to break a 51-51 tie right before Karalis’ three.

“I don’t know if you can say much more than what Mickel Simpson did,” Sullivan said, “stepping up and making plays and defending.”

Woburn (18-6) advances to face No. 2 New Mission (18-4) in the sectional semifinals at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Burlington High School, while North Andover ends the season 17-5.

With just over three minutes remaining in regulation, North Andover’s Derek Collins and Karalis hit back-to-back threes to give the Scarlet Knights only their second lead of the game, at 44-43.

After Woburn’s Matt Littleton hit one of two free throws, Warden made a layup and then got fouled on North Andover’s next possession. He would also hit one of two free throws to give his team a three-point lead, at 47-44, with just under two minutes to play in regulation.

After Woburn’s Billy Claflin hit a layup, Karalis sunk two free throws before Simpson's three-point play with 16 seconds on the clock. On North Andover’s last possession of regulation, junior forward Mike Moroney missed on an inside look with time winding down.

Karalis struck first in overtime, but then Woburn’s Brandon Daughtrey hit two free throws and Simpson’s first drive put the visitors on top 53-51. After Karalis’ three and Simpson’s next drive, North Andover got the ball down one, at 55-54, with 15 seconds left.

After a timeout, Littleton knocked the ball away from North Andover point guard Colby Smith. Daughtrey corralled the loose ball and got fouled with two seconds left. He hit both free throws to make the final 57-54.

Woburn got off to a hot start, taking a 28-16 lead about three minutes before the half. However, North Andover ended the half on a 7-0 run to pull within five, at 28-23.

North Andover took the lead briefly in the third quarter on a Karalis bucket, before taking it again in the fourth on Karalis’ three.

Karalis, a junior guard, led North Andover with 22 points, while Warden and Collins, a junior and sophomore, respectively, each had nine. Moroney added six points, sophomore Isaiah Nelson five, senior Sean Erb three.

Sullivan went with his starting lineup of Simpson, Claflin (14 points, 13 rebounds), Daughtrey (10 points, 6 assists), Littleton (3 points) and senior Mike Sallese (6 points) the entire second half.

Woburn starts four seniors, with Littleton, a junior, being the only exception. The team has eight seniors on its roster.

“To come into this gym and beat them, it’s not an easy thing to do,” Sullivan said. “Fortunately, we have some seniors that don’t want to lose.”