Published April 30, 2020
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — Governor Charlie Baker closed the door on the spring high school sports season on Apr. 21 when he closed school for the year due to the Covid-19 crisis. The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) was trying to work in a smaller schedule if school returned in May.
If the season started on April 27 when Baker originally postponed school there was going to be a shortened season with playoffs that would end by June 20.
When Baker extended the shutdown to May 4, the MIAA met again at the end of March.
At the meeting, they decided that if teams started practice on May 4, they could start the season on May 9 in most sports. Teams would play between an 8-12 game regular season and the playoffs would take place with the final date moved back to June 27.
Athletes and coaches held out hope for that shortened season, even with the fact that there would only be sectional champions instead of state champs.
Their hopes were dashed last week.
“I have to agree with the governor,” said North Reading girls’ lacrosse coach Matt Costello. “We have to keep everybody safe.”
Costello empathizes with the senior class.
“My heart is broken for them,” he admitted, as his team had six 12th-graders. “We had a Google Meet with the seniors last week and I told them that I was sorry for the circumstances and they had every right to be upset.”
The Hornets have never qualified for the states in their 16-year history and Costello thought that his squad could break that drought this spring. North Reading won five games last season.
Costello also said that he would like to play a game against the Hornets alumni sometime this summer when the restrictions are lifted.
North Reading softball assistant coach Paul Green felt differently than Costello.
“I know I am in the minority but I disagree with his decision,” said Greene, whose daughter Michelle is the team’s head coach. “I really feel bad for the senior class.”
Greene, whose team has five seniors, was hoping that Baker could have waited a couple more weeks before canceling school so that they could have tried to squeeze in a season, even though it would have been shorter.
Last year, the Hornets went 18-4 last spring as they lost 5-4 to Arlington Catholic in the Division 2 North quarterfinals.
Like Costello, Greene would also like to put together a game against the Hornet alumni this summer so they can play one time together.