Published in the March 8, 2018 edition

By DAN NUNN

NORTH READING — The Lady Hornets opened their state tournament with a convincing 47-27 victory over the Hamilton-Wenham Generals in the first round of the Division 2 North State Sectional Tournament on Wednesday, February 28. Junior Mia DeNofrio led the way with 14 points.

It was all North Reading in the first quarter. They raced out to a 9-0 lead at the 5:19 mark and forced a Hamilton-Wenham timeout. The timeout didn’t help much though as the Generals only made two field goals all quarter and NRHS led 13-5 after one.

SENIOR CAPTAIN Victoria Grasso hits a shot to pull North Reading within one point, 31-30, during the D2 North quarterfinal game at WMHS. (John Friberg Photo)

The Hornet offense got off to a poor start in the second stanza and the lead was cut to 18-12 with 4:46 left in the half. But after a timeout they righted the ship and closed the quarter on a 13-4 run to go up 31-16 at halftime.

NRHS was never challenged in the second half. They led by as much 23 and coasted to the outstanding 47-27 victory.

Wakefield stings Hornets, 43-37, in North quarters

The Hornets state tournament run came to an abrupt end at the hands of the Wakefield Warriors, who downed North Reading 43-37 in the Division 2 North quarterfinals on Saturday evening. Senior tri-captain Victoria Grasso was NRHS’s high scorer with 8 points

Both teams came out and played a little tight in the first quarter. But North Reading held the Warriors to just one field goal and led 10-5 after one. Unfortunately, Wakefield turned the tables on NRHS in the second. They outscored the Hornets 14-5 in the frame to take a 19-15 halftime lead.

In the third quarter, NRHS fought back. They scored 15 points in the quarter and the Warriors lead was cut to 31-30 at the start of the fourth. But Wakefield clamped down defensively in the final quarter and hung on for the hard fought win.

“I am proud of the positive work ethic we showed over the course of the year,” said head coach Bob Melillo. “I will miss our senior tri-captains; Taylor Moore, Noel Riley and Victoria Grasso. I also want to thank our manager Kiley Martel for all her efforts during the season.”