Published February 4, 2021
By DAN NUNN
NORTH READING — Amesbury’s 48-46 victory on Friday spoiled the NRHS girls’ basketball team’s return to game action after a 16-day pause due to COVID-19.
Sophomore Faith Newton led the way for NRHS with a career high 20 points, four rebounds and two steals. North Reading received strong performances from junior Kayla Imbriano (seven points, seven rebounds, three assists, two steals), junior Riley Cullen (seven points, three rebounds), and senior captain Sarah Gerber (four points, 12 rebounds, two assists, three steals).
“After a 16 day break from game action, the girls had their best overall performance of the season against a strong team,” said head coach Bob Romeo. “We did a lot of good things in the game but unfortunately came up a basket short. It was a very encouraging game on many levels and certainly something to build on going forward.”
The game was close throughout. The score was 11-11 after one quarter and at halftime Amesbury clung to a 25-19 lead. The second half saw both teams exchange scoring runs. The Hornets quickly tied the game at 25 but fell behind again 32-25.
In the fourth quarter, Amesbury expanded the lead to 42-32 but NRHS was undeterred and rallied again to pull within 47-46 with a little over a minute left. With 30 seconds left to play, the Indians converted one of two free throws to extend the lead to two. North Reading got a couple of very good looks at a tying and go ahead field goal but unfortunately could not find the bottom of the net.
The Hornets will travel to Rockport on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. before playing Triton on the road on Friday night at 5:45 p.m.
