Published in the December 22, 2016 edition
SOPHOMORE Mia DeNofrio (23) puts up a shot in the lane early in the game (John Friberg photo).
By DAN NUNN
NORTH READING — After losing nine seniors from last season’s girls’ basketball squad that made it all the way to Division 3 North final, the 2016–17 Lady Hornets will be inexperienced.
Among those nine seniors was Jess Lezon, the 6’ 5” Division 3 Player of the Year and CAL co-MVP. With just one starter and four bench players returning to the hardwood, North Reading will be depending on plenty of talented new faces.
Senior captain Katerina Hassapis is the lone returning starter and only senior at forward. Last season she averaged 6.2 points per game, was a defensive stalwart and was a CAL All-Star. Hassapis is a superb athlete who is coming off a great soccer season.
Sophomore Casey McAuliffe, who played sparingly last season, is a gifted scorer who will start at guard. The three other returning players, sophomore Mia DeNofrio and juniors Taylor Moore and Victoria Grasso, will be key cogs as well for the Green and Gold.
There will be seven players rounding out the roster who start this season with no varsity experience. Juniors Megan Landers and Noel Riley; sophomores Kaitlyn Shevlin, Ryan Hunter and Brooke DeGrand, and freshmen Ali Grasso and Lauren Sullivan all will contribute in some way this season.
Basketball fans in town will soon become familiar with all of the names of these players, all of whom will be looking to make their mark in the sport for NRHS.
