STEP FOR STEP. Hornet sophomore Katerina Hassapis brings the ball past her Newburyport defender as the Lady Hornets won the first varsity basketball game played in the new high school gymnasium, 55 to 50. (Bob Turosz Photo)
By DAN NUNN
NORTH READING — With nine players returning from last season’s squad that made it to the Division 3 North girls’ basketball quarterfinals, the Lady Hornets are primed for an outstanding campaign.
Entering his second season at the helm, head coach John DePasquale has noticed a difference in his players compared to his first season. “I have much more knowledge of our players because of last year. Much of our game plan is now familiar to our kids, so we’re moving much more quickly through preseason than we did last year,” he said.
With two seniors and six juniors returning with plenty of varsity play from last year the Hornets have a great mix of youth and experience.
Senior captains Frankie Elliott and Adrianna Flanagan will be counted on by the team for their exceptional leadership. DePasquale said, “Adrianna will be an impact player for us both in the backcourt and in the frontcourt. She’s by far our most versatile player. Frankie will be our anchor on the front line. Her presence inside at both ends of the floor will set the tone for our team.”
The juniors will also be integral. Junior captain Carly Swartz will be the engine at point guard. DePasquale said of Swartz: “She is a much more poised player compared to last season. Her handle and shot are markedly better than last year, and her basketball IQ is very high.”
Center Jess Lezon will be a scoring and rebounding machine inside who has told her coach she wants to be “unstoppable” for the next two years. DePasquale went on to say she is “the best shot blocker” he has ever coached.
HORNET JUNIOR Julia McDonald splits the Newburyport defense and was fouled on this play as the Lady Hornets won the first varsity basketball game played in the new NRHS gym, 55–50 on Tuesday night. (Bob Turosz Photo)
Junior guards Julia McDonald and Carli Eldridge will be strong defensively and will provide some scoring. Juniors Tristan Hoffman and Katie Welch will be impact players off the bench.
A handful of underclassman will also make some contributions. Sophomores Gabby Lanzaro, Katarina Hassapis and Lindsey Carroll and freshman Kirsten Bradley will fight for playing time.
With this much talent the team has made it clear they want to make a deep tournament run. DePasquale said, “The players have made it clear their goal is to get at least three rounds into the state tournament, and they seem to be a team that will work hard every day to try to accomplish that goal.”
Season opener
The team’s season opener was played at home against the Newburyport Clippers after press time Tuesday night. Their next four games will be played on the road starting with Triton Friday, Dec. 19 and Hamilton-Wenham Monday, Dec 22, both at 6:30 p.m. They’ll compete in the Whittier Tech Christmas Tournament in Haverhill Dec. 28–29.
