Please note that this headline has been updated from the print edition.

Published February 28, 2019

By DAN NUNN

NORTH READING — Before the NRHS girls’ basketball team’s final regular season game, the Cape Ann League Season Awards were announced. Junior Allie Grasso and sophomore Julia Howse were elected to the CAL All Conference team. Senior captain Casey McAuliffe was named a CAL All-Star.

Streak past Shawsheen Tech 60-39

The Hornets scored 25 points in the fourth quarter to streak past the Shawsheen Tech Rams 60-39 in their final regular season game on February 19. Howse led the way with a 20 point and 13 rebound double-double. Grasso played well and added 14 points.

Both teams traded scoring runs in the first quarter. North Reading scored the game’s first six points but the Rams stormed back with an 8-0 run to go ahead 8-6 by the 2:57 mark. The Hornets were undeterred though and they closed the quarter on an 8-0 run of their own to take a 14-8 lead after one.

JULIA HOWSE puts up two points while being fouled during North Reading’s 60-39 win against Shawsheen Tech on Feb. 19. Howse, who was recently named to the CAL All-Conference team, had 20 points and 13 rebounds against the Rams and led the Hornets into Swampscott for a D2N quarterfinal game on Wednesday night after press time. (John Friberg Photo)

In the second quarter, the runs continued. Shawsheen opened the quarter with an 11-0 scoring burst and at 5:52 they led 19-14. Once again, NRHS responded with another 8-0 run to go into the halftime locker room with a 22-19 advantage.

The game stabilized in the third and the Hornets maintained their lead throughout. By the start of the final quarter, the lead was up to nine at 35-26.

In the fourth, North Reading blew the game wide open. They blitzed the Rams with a blistering 24-4 run and with 2:41 left the lead ballooned to 59-30.

The Hornets earned a No. 5 seed in the Div. 2 North Tournament. They hit the road to face No. 4 Swampscott (15-5) for a quarterfinal matchup on Wednesday night after press time. The winner of that game goes on to the semifinals to play the winner of the No. 1 Pentucket vs. No. 8 Wilmington game. The date, time and location of the semifinals are to be announced on MIAA.net.