After press time:
North Reading defeats Hamilton-Wenham 39-31 (Jan. 20)
North Reading defeats Essex Tech 51-26 (Jan. 17)
North Reading defeats Amesbury 55-38 (Jan. 15)
NORTH READING — The North Reading High girls’ basketball team split it’s last two games and now sits at 8-1 on the season.
On Friday, NRHS hosted the 5-1 Georgetown Royals with the Hornets taking a decisive 57-23 win, their eighth consecutive victory.
North Reading jumped out to a quick, 12-3 first quarter lead and never looked back, extending the lead throughout the game.
Ariana Demetri (21 points, 4 assists, 4 steals) tied her career scoring high. Sophie Gallivan (13 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals), Kiersten Higgins (6 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals) and Makenzie Murphy (6 points, 2 assists) provided plenty of additional scoring.
The team defense was strong all night with Higgins and Addie Hajj shutting down the two leading scorers for Georgetown, who were averaging 28 points combined, holding them to a combined 6 points.
In a CAL first place showdown with Pentucket on Monday night, the Hornets absorbed their first loss of the season in a hard-fought 42-35 defeat.
Both teams came out strong with Pentucket taking a 13-10 first quarter lead. They extended it to 28-22 at halftime.
The Hornets got as close as 34-30 but Pentucket hit some key shots down the stretch.
Gallivan (15 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals), Kiersten Higgins (7 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals), Hajj (4 points, 6 rebounds) and Murphy (5 points 2 rebounds) provided the majority of the NRHS scoring.
“Both teams played with the energy and effort of a first place showdown and our girls played hard for all 32 minutes,” said Hornet head coach Bob Romeo. “We had our chances in the fourth quarter but the Pentucket defense was disruptive and prevented us from getting many clean looks.
“Our goal now is to start a new winning streak beginning with Amesbury.”
The Hornets traveled to Amesbury on Wednesday after press time. They will next visit Essex Tech on Friday night at 6 p.m.