Edged by Pentucket in second game
Published December 24, 2019
By DAN NUNN
AMESBURY — The NRHS boys’ basketball team picked up a superb 64-54 opening night victory on the road over the Amesbury Indians on December 18.
Junior captain Will Taylor led the way with 19 points. Sophomore Cody Cannalonga had 16 points and senior Greg Demetri chipped in with 10 points. NRHS had 15 assists and out-rebounded the bigger Indians 34-33.
A tremendous defensive effort helped North Reading take an early lead. They forced Amesbury into taking tough shots and NRHS was up 15-11 at the end of first quarter. The Hornets stretched out the lead into double digits in the second behind a balanced scoring attack. Senior Ryan Kavanaugh hit a huge 3-pointer late in the quarter and the lead was 33-22 at the half.
Unfortunately in the third quarter, the 11-point lead evaporated as the Hornets went stone cold from the field. They ended up shooting 1-for-11 from the field and were outscored 13-3 in the third. By the end of three, the Indians had cut the lead to 36-35.
The fourth was a hard-fought affair. But thanks to gritty play from Demetri, Cannalonga and Taylor, North Reading never lost the lead.
Fall to powerhouse Pentucket
Despite an outstanding career high 24-point performance from Cody Cannalonga a terrific effort came up just short as the Hornets fell to CAL power Pentucket 59-55, Friday night on the road. Taylor added 16 points.
Pentucket took an early lead but NRHS battled and they were only down 12-9 at the end of one. Led by Cannalonga, Taylor, Kavanaugh and sophomore John Jennings North Reading went on a blistering 22-12 run in the second quarter. Thanks to the run, the Hornets opened up a seven-point, 31-24 lead at the half.
Right out of halftime, Jack Keller nailed a 3-pointer and the lead ballooned to 34-24. But the big lead wouldn’t last as the bigger Sachems began to wear down the Hornets. Pentucket closed the third quarter on a 22-10 run to go up 46-44 after three.
North Reading stayed within striking distance in the fourth. Unfortunately in the last two minutes, they had four shots roll in and out and the upset bid came up just short.
The 1-1 Hornets will next play in the Greater Lowell Christmas Tournament on Saturday and Sunday.