Published in the February 18, 2016 edition
CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN ORDER. The officials stopped the game to allow Hornet senior Jess Lezon to celebrate with her teammates after she scored the 1,000th point against Lynnfield. (John Friberg Photo)
By DAN NUNN
NORTH READING — On Thursday night senior center and tri–captain Jess Lezon scored her 1,000th point as the Hornets downed the rival Lynnfield Pioneers 40–27. Lezon is the first player for girls varsity basketball in NRHS history to record that feat.
Lezon entered the game needing 4 points to reach the 1,000 point mark. She scored that at about 2 1/2 minutes into the first quarter. The officials stopped the clock at that point and took the ball out of the game for her to keep. Lezon’s teammates then presented her with flowers and a poster commemorating the occasion. They then posed for team photos to capture the moment. The Lynnfield team graciously allowed the Hornets as much time as they needed to complete their celebration and in a gesture of sportsmanship, gave Lezon a standing ovation.
Plunder Vikings 51–36
There was no letdown after last week’s big win over Pentucket as the Hornets followed it up with a decisive 51-36 victory over the Triton Vikings on February 9. Jess Lezon racked up another double–double with 20 points and 14 rebounds. Fellow senior captain Carly Swartz added 17 points.
THE BIG MOMENT everyone was waiting for came a couple of minutes into last week’s North Reading – Lynnfield game when senior Jess Lezon scored her 1,000 point in her high school career. (John Friberg Photo)
It was a tight first quarter and at the 3:23 mark North Reading found themselves down 7-4. But from that point on the offense got rolling. The Hornets caught fire with a 17-2 run and midway through the second quarter led 21–9. By the halftime whistle the North Reading lead had ballooned to 25–12.
The Hornets were never challenged in the second half. The lead got as high as 20 and North Reading won easily 51–36.
Beat Lynnfield, 40–27
Behind Jess Lezon’s 13th double–double of the season the Hornets downed the rival Lynnfield Pioneers 40-27. Lezon scored 18 points to go along with 13 rebounds.
Early in the first quarter Lezon made NRHS history. At the 5:44 mark with the Hornets up 4-0 Jess scored her 1,000th point. The game was stopped immediately, she was given the game ball, her teammates presented her with flowers and posed with her for a photo. The host Pioneers showed great class as well with a standing ovation.
Once the game got back underway North Reading maintained control. They outscored Lynnfield 22–12 for the rest of the first half and took a commanding 28–12 halftime lead. Neither offense shot the ball well in the second half. But the Hornets managed to hold off the Pioneers and went on to victory.
The Lady Hornets are 16–2 and have just two games left: Last night, (Wednesday), at home vs. Austin Prep, (Senior Night). And an away game Wednesday, Feb. 24, vs. Triton.
