CAITLIN REILLY had 12 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists and 6 steals in a win over Marblehead and 14 points, 4 rebounds and 5 steals in a win over Triton as NR started the season 2-0. (Eric Evans Photo)
After press time: North Reading falls to Stoneham (Dec. 23)
NORTH READING — The North Reading High girls’ basketball team opened the 2023-2024 season with a pair of wins last week. In both games, it was a strong defensive effort leading the way.
On Monday, Dec. 11, the Hornets hosted Marblehead in an MIAA Endowment game earning a 42–26 win.
After a slow offensive start for both teams, NRHS took a lead 15-14 into halftime after which the Hornets dominated the second half with a 27-12 advantage. The NRHS swarming defense caused 37 Marblehead turnovers.
Leading the way for NR was senior captain Caitlin Reilly’s all around effort with 12 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists and 6 steals while doing a great job at point guard in the absence of Bella Cannalonga.
Sophomore Allie Lanciani added 2 points and 5 rebounds while senior captain Maggie Shulz was solid all night with 4 points, 2 rebounds and 3 steals.
Freshmen Ariana Demetri (19 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals) and Sophie Gallivan (5 points, 13 rebounds, 3 steals) started their NRHS basketball careers with major contributions.
On Friday, Dec. 15, the Hornets hosted Triton in their opening game of the CAL regular season. After a 12-9 advantage after the first quarter, North Reading used a dominant 15-2 second quarter to open a 16-point halftime advantage on the way to a 50-26 win.
Again, it was a swarming defensive effort leading to 34 Triton turnovers and a 42-31 rebounding advantage over a much taller Triton squad.
Leading the way for the Hornets was Gallivan with 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 steals. Reilly (14 points, 4 rebounds, 5 steals), Lanciani (10 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals) and sophomore Kierstin Higgins (4 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals) all played significant roles in the win.
“It was good to see all of the hard work the girls did in the preseason pay off in our two opening games,” said head coach Bob Romeo. “We have a relatively young team that is getting better every day and establishing an identity of a defensive minded team that will compete over every inch of the court.”
The Hornets fell to Manchester-Essex 47-42 in a close matchup on Tuesday night. They will travel to Stoneham on Saturday at 12 p.m. and host Beverly on Wednesday, Dec. 27 at 6 p.m.
