Hornets (4-8) invade Lynnfield tomorrow night
Published in the February 1, 2018 edition
By DAN NUNN
NORTH READING — The Hornets had one of their best defensive efforts of the season and snapped a season-high four game losing streak with a 59-46 victory over the Georgetown Royals on January 23.
Junior Ryan Connor led the way with 19 points including five 3-pointers. Junior captain Matt Solecki and senior Colin Boucher had 13 and 11 points, respectively.
BURKE RIESENBERG hits a three in the first quarter to close the Pentucket lead to 12-9. (John Friberg Photo)
North Reading methodically raced out to the lead in the first quarter. Connor and Solecki each hit threes in the quarter and NRHS led 14-6 after one.
Pressure defense and rebounding allowed the Hornets to stretch the lead in the second quarter. By the halftime whistle the lead ballooned to 32-17. NRHS maintained a double digit lead throughout the second half and went on to the much needed victory.
Sunk by Sachems 73-62
The Hornets fell to 4-8 with their 73-62 home loss to the Pentucket Sachems on Friday night. Ryan Connor hit five 3-pointers and led North Reading with 15 points. Matt Solecki chipped in 13 points.
NRHS had trouble with the Sachems tenacious defense in the opening quarter. They held a brief two-point lead at the 5:32 mark but by the end of one they found themselves down 17-9. North Reading tried to fight back in the second quarter and cut the lead to 23-18 with 4:34 left. But Pentucket responded and increased the lead to 37-26 by halftime.
Unfortunately, the Sachems controlled the second half. They held at least a seven-point lead and went up by as much as 15. Pentucket cruised to the 73-62 victory.
North Reading visits Lynnfield (10-3) tomorrow night at 6:30 p.m. They will then host Triton on Monday night and Hamilton-Wenham on Tuesday. Both games are set to tip at 7 p.m.
