JUNIOR ADAM GOLDSTEIN, (center), looks for room in back and forth competition against Triton on the road. The Hornets earned a much needed 60 to 56 win against the Vikings. (Deanna Castro Photo)
By Dan Nunn
Fall in OT to Ipswich
The Hornets lost their last road game of the season falling in overtime to the Ipswich Tigers 61-56 on February 11th. Junior captain Justin Dorosh was outstanding with 22 points. Senior Gerard Walsh and junior Adam Goldstein both poured in 13 points.
North Reading got off to a good start and took a 13-7 at the end of the first quarter. The Tigers clawed back in the second and by halftime cut the deficit to 22-19. Both offenses erupted in the third quarter. Each team scored 20 points and the lead remained at three.
But the Hornets couldn’t close out Ipswich. The Tigers fought back to tie it at 52 at the end of regulation and force overtime. In the extra frame North Reading was outscored 9-4 and suffered the tough five point defeat.
Masco Squashes Hornets State Tourney Hopes
The Masconomet Chieftains erased any hope of the Hornets qualifying for the state tournament with their 49-40 victory on Kipnes Court on Thursday. Justin Dorosh was the only Hornet in double figures with 11 points.
The North Reading offense struggled in the first half. They only managed 16 points and found themselves down 27-16 at the half. Things didn’t improve in the third quarter. By the start of the fourth the Hornets were trailing by 16 points. The North Reading offense played their best in the final quarter but the deficit proved to be too great.
Pentucket Spoils Senior Night
The Pentucket Sachems spoiled the Hornets Senior Night festivities with their 67-55 road victory on Friday night. Gerard Walsh had his best performance of the season with 22 points including four three pointers. Sophomore point guard Anthony Eldridge chipped in 10 points.
Before the opening tip seniors Derek Hogan, Tom Lewis and Gerard Walsh were honored. North Reading played a great first quarter and took a 19-13 lead after one. Unfortunately everything fell apart in the second and third quarters. The Sachems outscored the Hornets by a combined 46-16 and took a commanding 59-35 lead to the fourth. The Hornets played better in the fourth but the lead proved insurmountable.
