Published in the February 16. 2017 edition
Senior guard Anthony Eldridge, Junior forward Burke Riesenberg and senior forward Bobby O’Donnell play defense against Lynnfield (Al Pereira/Advanced Photo)
By DAN NUNN
Rout Notre Dame 89-43
NORTH READING — With their 89-43 blowout victory over the Notre Dame Cristo Rey Hurricanes on February 6, the Hornets boys’ basketball team qualified for the state tournament for the second straight season and the fourth time in five years.
Senior Mike McCauley was the game’s high scorer with 17 points. Senior Cam Davis poured in 13 points and senior Matt McCarthy, who continues to work back from injury, added 11 points.
Juniors Burke Riesenberg and Lionel Beane chipped in nine points off the bench.
Early in the first quarter North Reading was down 9-6 but quickly got going from there. They outscored the Hurricanes by an incredible 43-12 margin for the rest of the first half and took a gargantuan 49-21 lead at the half.
The Hornets were on cruise control in the second half and went on to a much-needed easy win.
Lose at Bedford 82-71
Despite 24 points from Mike McCauley, the Hornets were defeated by the Bedford Buccaneers 82-71 on February 8.
Senior captain Anthony Eldridge played well with a season-high 14 points and senior Shawn Tilton added 11 off the bench.
The first quarter was played at a frantic pace. Bedford raced out to a quick 9-0 lead, but North Reading recovered to cut the deficit to 24-19 after one. At the start of the second quarter it was all Hornets. Led by McCauley, they roared back to take a 38-30 lead midway through the quarter. The lead didn’t last though as the Buccaneers fought back to tie the game at 40-40 by halftime.
But just like the start of the game Bedford opened the third quarter on a 9-0 run. The Hornets did cut the lead to four, but again the Buccaneers went on another run and took a 68-54 lead into the final quarter. The lead proved insurmountable as NRHS couldn’t get closer than seven in the fourth.
Stung at Lynnfield 83-63
The Hornets suffered their fifth loss in seven games as they were defeated by the 14-1 and CAL Kinney Division-leading Lynnfield Pioneers 83-63 on Friday night.
Mike McCauley was the leading scorer for North Reading once again with 22 points. Senior Bob O’Donnell was the only other player in double digits with 15 points.
North Reading played well early and was only down 19-18 at the end of the first quarter. Unfortunately things changed in the second. Turnovers and defensive breakdowns allowed Lynnfield to go into the half up 40-30.
The Pioneers broke the game open in the third quarter. Potential CAL Player of the Year Louis Ellis had 34 points and Lynnfield cruised to victory.
