Hosted Hamilton-Wenham in first round

Published February 27, 2020

ALI GRASSO was one of three Hornets named to the Cape Ann League All-Star team.(John Friberg File Photo)

By DAN NUNN

NORTH READING — The NRHS girls’ basketball team’s six game winning streak came to an end after they suffered two tough loses to close out the regular season in the Ed Gieras Memorial Tournament in Danvers on February 18th and 19th. Unfortunately for NRHS, junior center Julia Howse was injured early in the opening game and missed the rest of the tournament.

Grasso, Howse, Sullivan named CAL All-Stars

Before the Gieras Tournament the Cape Ann League season awards were announced. Senior captains Lauren Sullivan and Ali Grasso were both selected as CAL First Team All Stars while Julia Howse was selected as a Second Team CAL All Star. Head Coach Bob Romeo was named the CAL Kinney Division Coach of the Year.

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL DIV. 2 NORTH BRACKET (MIAA.net)

Wore Down by Reading 

In the opening Gieras tourney game, the Hornets were defeated by D1 foe Reading 49-41 in a back-and-forth affair. Grasso was the leading scorer with 13 points. Sullivan was terrific with 12 points, six rebounds three assists and three blocks and fellow senior tri-captain Kiley McCarthy added 11 points, six rebounds and three steals.

North Reading held leads of 10-9 at the end of first quarter and 21-17 at halftime. Hot shooting by the Rockets enabled them to gain a 34-32 advantage after three quarters. The Hornets fought back to tie the game at 38-38 early in the fourth but unfortunately, Reading closed out the game with an 11-3 run to get the win.

Defeated by Danvers 42-31

In the second game of the tournament, despite dominating every statistical category, the Hornets suffered a 42-31 defeat to the host Danvers Falcons. Leading the way for North Reading was All-Tournament selection Lauren Sullivan with 13 points, five rebounds, two assists and 10 steals. Grasso chipped in 13 points and six rebounds.

It was a strange game as NRHS attempted 40 more shots, committed 25 less turnovers and had 27 offensive rebounds but had a night where it seemed like nothing would go through the basket.

“You can have those types of nights in basketball and the only good thing was that it was not the state tournament,” said head coach Bob Romeo.

The Hornets earned the No. 7 seed in the Div. 2 North Tournament and hosted No. 10 Hamilton-Wenham last night after press time. The Hornets edged the Generals 42-41 on Feb. 4. Hamilton-Wenham finished the season at 11-9.

The winner of that game will play No. 2 Marblehead at Marblehead High on Saturday night at 7 p.m.