RILEY CULLEN was one of four seniors honored on Senior Night before a win over Beverly. Cullen had a game-high 17 points in the victory. She was recently named a Cape Ann League First Team All-Star. (Courtesy Photo)
By DAN NUNN
NORTH READING — The NRHS girls’ basketball team connected on a season-high 10 3-pointers and committed a season low 10 turnovers en route their outstanding 48-41 road victory over the Danvers Falcons on Feb. 14. Junior Faith Newton picked up a double double with a game-high 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
Sophomore Bella Cannalonga (9 points), junior Brianne Slattery (7) and sophomore Maggie Schulz (7) provided plenty of offensive support while senior captain Riley Cullen (7 rebounds) anchored the defense. Senior captain Kayla Imbriano and junior Sami Patch held Danvers’ leading scorer to a scoreless second half.
North Reading had a strong offensive performance in the first half and took leads of 18-14 after one and 29-24 at halftime. Danvers closed it to 34-33 after three but the girls finished strong for the win, 48-41.
Suffer loss to Lynnfield
On Feb. 16, the Hornets hosted the Lynnfield Pioneers. Unfortunately, on this night, NRHS struggled to get the offense going with any consistency and suffered a disappointing home loss, 40-32.
The Hornets led 8-6 after one but the shots stopped falling and the Pioneers ripped off a 17- 6 run to race ahead 23-14. The Hornets made a run to close it to 23-22, but another couple big baskets by Lynnfield stretched it back out.
Avenge early season loss in victory over Beverly
On Senior Night, the Hornets avenged an earlier loss to Beverly with a hard fought 37-31 win. Riley Cullen led the way with a game high 17 points.
Prior to the game, NRHS honored their four seniors, Megan Slattery (team manager), Riley Cullen, Kayla Imbriano and Rose Morelli.
“It was a great team effort led by the seniors on senior night. Our team wanted to make sure that these seniors were able to get a W on their night and everyone contributed to that result whether it was on the court or from the bench,” said head coach Bob Romeo.
North Reading got off to a strong start taking a 20-17 lead into the halftime locker room. A back and forth third quarter set up a 28-25 game heading into the final quarter. The seniors sealed the win as Cullen had 6 of her 17 points in the quarter and Kayla Imbriano added a huge layup in transition.
Finish regular season with win over Stoneham
The Hornets completed the regular season on Sunday with a non-league home win over Stoneham 43-32. Faith Newton filled the stat sheet with 17 points, 10 rebounds, 4 steals and 5 blocked shots. Riley Cullen added 12 points, 9 rebounds and 4 steals.
North Reading’s constant pressure defense forced 24 Stoneham turnovers and never allowed them to get into an offensive rhythm. The bench players of Sami Patch, Maggie Schulz, sophomore Caitlin Reilly, freshman Julia Scammon and junior Halee Torra, provided plenty of defensive energy.
The Hornets got off to a good start with a 14-8 first quarter lead and never looked back. They continued to extend it throughout the game with halftime at 24-16 and third quarter at 36-25.
“Our team turned around a slow 1-5 start to the season by just continuing to put in the work every day in the gym and remain focused on just getting better each day,” said Romeo on the turnaround. “That hard work and the leadership of our three senior captains Riley Cullen, Kayla Imbriano and Rose Morelli, resulted in a strong turnaround, winning 10 of the final 14 games.”
The Hornets also had two players who were recognized for postseason CAL awards with senior Riley Cullen being selected as a first team CAL All-Star and junior Faith Newton being selected as a second team CAL All-Star.
North Reading will now get ready for the Div. 3 state tournament. They were ranked 22nd in the MIAA’s latest power ratings.