Published February 25, 2021
By DAN NUNN
NORTH READING — The NRHS boys’ basketball team stormed back from an eight point deficit with a 10-0 run in the final three minutes to stun the Lynnfield Pioneers 59-57 in the CAL Semifinals on Feb. 17.
North Reading had three players in double figures as junior captain Cody Cannalonga had 14 points, senior captain William Taylor had 13 and junior Casey O’Connor had a career-high 13.
North Reading exploded out of the gates and it looked like the rout was on as they took an early 19-7 lead but things changed in the second stanza as the Hornets suddenly had trouble scoring. The Hornets only had three field goals in the quarter and by halftime, the Pioneers cut the lead to 33-26.
The woes continued in the third as North Reading was outscored 18-11 to end the quarter tied at 44-44.
Things looked bleak for NRHS with three minutes left to go when they were down 57-49.
The Hornets missed a foul shot and the ball bounced to Cannalonga who calmly drained a 15 foot jump shot. After a quick time out, senior guard Brayden Scribner stole the inbound pass and fed it to junior forward John Jennings who was fouled. Jennings hit one of two shots and the Lynnfield lead was down to five.
After a good defensive stop, Taylor found Cannalonga who calmly nailed a 3 cutting the Pioneer lead to two wth just under 2:30 remaining in the game.
Another great defensive stop led to Jennings again hitting one of two foul shots to cut the Pioneer lead to one.
It was O’Connor who won it for the Hornets with just over 30 seconds hitting both of his foul shots and putting NRHS up 58-57.
“It was by far our gutsiest victory of the year,” said head coach Joe Casey.
Fall to Newburyport
The Hornets traveled to Newburyport to take on the undefeated Clippers in the CAL Kinney Finals on Friday. North Reading fell into an early hole down 21-10 at the end of the first quarter as the Hornets struggled to score.
Newburyport hit six 3’s in the first half leading to their 35-22 advantage at the break.
The Hornets came roaring back in the second half behind a tremendous effort by Jennings who had six points in the quarter along with six hard-earned rebounds. He had 13 points and 11 boards in the game.
The Hornets closed the gap to 37-30 midway through the 3rd and were down 46-39 going into the fourth.
North Reading ran out of gas in the final frame as the Clippers hit a couple 3’s that pushed the lead to 10 and eventually a final score of 65-50. Cannalonga was North Reading’s second leading scorer with 11.
“I couldn’t be more proud of what we accomplished this season” said Casey. “The kids overcame so much adversity. In addition to all of the COVID protocols, we overcame a 1-5 start to finish 6-6 and we gave undefeated Newburyport all they could handle in the finals.
“It’s a testament to the kids not giving up and sticking together. They were a great group to work with and I’m happy that we had some semblance of a season.”
