Published in the January 14, 2016 edition
SENIOR KATIE WELCH drives past her Lynnfield opponent on her way to the net. (Bob Turosz Photo)
By DAN NUNN
Pulverize Pioneers, 66-27
LYNNFIELD — Behind senior Jess Lezon’s fourth double-double of the season, the Hornets crushed the archrival Lynnfield Pioneers 66-27 on Jan. 5.
Lezon had 19 points and 11 boards for the girls’ basketball team. Senior captain Carly Swartz was the only other player in double figures with 12.
Lezon was unstoppable in the first quarter. She scored 13 of the team’s 21 points and helped North Reading race out to a 21-6 lead after one.
The offense stayed red hot in the second quarter. The Hornets opened the quarter on a 15-2 run and at the halftime buzzer held a commanding 36-12 lead.
North Reading continued to expand the lead in the second half. The lead got as big as 41 points and the Hornets won easily 66-27.
Trounce Townies, 59-19
The Hornets extended their winning streak to five games with their second impressive win in as many days, defeating the Charlestown Townies 59–19.
Senior Carli Eldridge and freshman Casey McAuliffe led the way with 9 points apiece.
The Townies took a quick 1-0 lead after a made free throw 20 seconds into the game. But for the rest of the first half it was all North Reading. The Hornets held Charlestown to one field goal the entire half and took an astounding 37-4 lead into the half.
North Reading was on cruise control in the second half and coasted to victory.
Down Amesbury, 61-50
Jess Lezon’s 19-point, 23-rebound performance carried the Hornets past the Amesbury Indians, 61-50, on Friday night in a game that was competitive most of the night.
North Reading got off to a slow start from the field in the first quarter. They went 3-for-17 shooting, but luckily hit six free throws and held a 13-6 lead by the end of the quarter.
The offense continued to struggle early in the second and the Indians fought back to within 15-13 at the 4:52 mark. But from that point North Reading got it in gear, closing the half on a 14-6 run to go into the locker room up 30-19.
The Hornets took control in the second half. They continued to expand the lead and midway through the fourth, found themselves up 59-36.
Amesbury tried to battle back but only managed to trim the final score to 61-50.
