Published in the March 10, 2016 edition
GOLDSTEIN LAYUP. Senior Adam Goldstein puts up a shot over two Watertown defenders to help North Reading storm back from a 16 point halftime deficit to win the game, 61 to 53. Notice the “whiteout” crowd of Hornet fans in the background. (John Friberg Photo)
By DAN NUNN
Boy cagers come back from 16 down
NORTH READING — The Hornets used a 30–4 second half scoring run to erase a 16 point halftime deficit to sting the visiting Watertown Raiders, 61–53 in the Division 3 North Quarterfinals on Saturday night.
Senior captain Justin Dorosh was the leading scorer with 15 points. Junior Mike McCauley added 14 points including two clutch three’s. Senior Adam Goldstein recorded a double–double with 12 points and 17 rebounds. The game was won at the free throw line as North Reading went 25/31.
Kipnes Court was electric even before the opening tip. Coach Joe Casey said, “It was simply a fabulous atmosphere. This is what high school athletics is all about and what makes North Reading special.”
It was a very competitive opening quarter. North Reading had some trouble with the Raiders’ press defense but at the end of the quarter the Watertown lead was just 14–11. The deficit remained at 3 at the 6:05 mark in the second quarter. But unfortunately, things went off the rails for the Hornets for the rest of the quarter. The Raiders used their size advantage to close the first half on a 20–7 run. Watertown took a 37–21 halftime lead.
Things completely changed in the second half. North Reading turned up their defensive intensity which fueled an offensive explosion. From the start of the third quarter to the 4:15 mark of the fourth, the Hornets held Watertown to one field goal and outscored the Raiders by an unbelievable 30–4 margin to take a 51–41 lead.
The lead got trimmed down to 55–51 with 1:20 left. But North Reading was clutch from the foul line down the stretch and sealed the 61–53 victory. At the final buzzer, jubilant Hornet fans rushed onto the court.
After the game Casey praised his team. “All the credit goes to the kids, they were extremely resilient. We had a lot of kids really compete and give us great leadership in the second half. I’ve never been prouder to be associated with a group of kids than I am with this one.”
Fall to Buccaneers
The win over Watertown advanced North Reading to the Division 3 North semi–finals, where they took on the Bedford Buccaneers in Burlington. Unfortunately, Bedford won, 67–62. The boys finish the season 19–3 and no one can deny they had a great season.
