Senior Makes 1000th Rebound of Andover Career

Tom Palleschi ’12 now poised to hit the 1000-point scoring milestone

January 20, 2012 -- Four-year senior Tom Palleschi, a force on both the basketball court and the baseball field, achieved what is believed to be Andover’s all-time rebound record. The Haverhill, Mass., native put an exclamation point on Wednesday night’s 66-57 victory over Milton by pulling down 16 rebounds, boosting him over the 1000 rebound mark for his high school career.

“This has never happened before in my 25-years here, never,” said boys’ varsity basketball coach Leon Modeste, who speculates this might well be Andover’s all-time high for rebounds by an individual. It’s a rare achievement for a high school athlete, according to Modeste, who credits his player’s athleticism, which has enabled him to play for varsity since his first game as a ninth grader.

Palleschi, who is “very excited” by the idea that he may be Andover’s first to hit the rebound grand, credits Coach Mo. “He told me from the beginning that it’s all about the positioning.”

The center will soon add another “K” to his career tally. With only 10 games left in the season, he is just 37 points from breaking the 1000-point milestone for his four-year scoring total. Joey Lokitis ’06 currently holds the school scoring record with 1,157 points.

Although Palleschi is 6’8”, Coach Mo is fast to point out that height alone is not the key to the senior’s success. “He’d be an amazing basketball player if he were 5’10”. He’s quick as well as big. He’s tenacious, too, and his baseball pitching skills have given him soft hands.”

Palleschi looks forward to attending Tufts next fall, but he is savoring his time left at Andover. “I’ve enjoyed every season here. It will be weird to say goodbye.”

Although Modeste can’t predict whether Palleschi has a chance to break any baseball records this spring, the first baseman and left-handed pitcher and hitter knows exactly how he would like to finish his time at Andover: “A championship. We’ve made the baseball playoffs for the last three years but couldn’t bring it home. It would be a nice way to cap off my four years here.”