JUNIOR Alex Carucci had 10 points and played great defense for the Hornets in their game against Wilmington on Dec. 30. The 2-2 Hornets host 4-2 Newburyport on Thursday night at 5:30 p.m. (File Photo)
NORTH READING — The NRHS varsity boys’ basketball team came up just short in a great game against Wilmington on Dec. 30 by a score of 56-55 at NRHS.
The loss broke a two-game winning streak for the 2-2 Hornets.
North Reading trailed throughout but always kept it close.
Wilmington led 12-9 after one quarter. The Hornets stayed within striking distance in the 2nd quarter thanks to senior Cody Cannalonga who had three of his six 3-pointers and 11 of his 22 total points in the first half.
North Reading also got a huge effort off the bench from junior guard Alex Carucci whose toughness and leadership has been a spark for the Hornets according to head coach Joe Casey.
Wilmington led 28-26 at the half. Both teams struggled to score thanks in large part to good defense as both squads were held to 9 points.
North Reading’s offensive woes continued in the 4th, trailing by as much as 9 points at one time before an explosion by Cannalonga who hit three 3’s in the last 1:30 to bring the Hornets within a point.
“Ferocious defense helped us get back into the game as well,” said Casey. “Juniors Craig Rubino and Sam Morelli each had key steals.”
North Reading forced a turnover with 11 seconds left but after a timeout, couldn’t convert to win the game.
“The kids never gave up, they battled to the end,” said Casey. “We are still trying to find our identity. We need to execute better offensively and need to pay more attention to the little things like boxing out and rebounding.”
In addition to Cannalonga’s 22, NR got 10 points from senior Quinn Riesenberg and 10 from Carucci who according to Casey had “his best game in a Hornet uniform.”
North Reading, who will play Amesbury at the TD Garden on Sunday. Jan. 16, will have three more CAL games to get ready for first: Thursday at home against Newburyport (5:30 p.m.), Tuesday on the road at Hamilton-Wenham (6:30 p.m.) and Friday, Jan. 14 at home against Lynnfield (7:30 p.m.).
