Published March 19, 2020

HEAD COACH Bob Romeo and the Hornet bench react to a 3-pointer scored during the Div. 2 girls’ basketball state semifinals at the TD Garden. (Dan Pawlowski Photo)

LAUREN SULLIVAN blocks a Foxboro player’s layup attempt. This photo, taken by longtime Bruins and Red Sox photographer Steve Babineau, was timed with Babineau’s strobe lights he installed high in the Garden’s rafters decades ago to help provide an extra burst of light for action shots. (Steve Babineau Photo)

By DAN NUNN

BOSTON — The NRHS girls’ basketball team’s historic season came to an end at the hands of the Foxboro Warriors, who defeated North Reading 52-35 on the Boston Garden parquet floor in the Division 2 State Semifinal on March 11. North Reading finished the season at 16-9 and went 4-1 in the state tournament.

The Warriors would eventually be crowned Co-State Champions alongside Taconic as the MIAA canceled all Winter state finals because of the coronavirus.

Foxboro entered the game with a 22-2 record and had the 2018 state championship on their resume. They shot over 40 percent from the floor and took advantage of their size by controlling the backboards with a 44-27 rebounding advantage.

“The result was not what we were looking for but the journey to get here was something that we will all remember forever,” said head coach Bob Romeo. “Don’t be sad that it’s over, be happy that it happened.

“One thing I was proud of accomplishing was getting everyone into the game. All 15 players on our tournament roster are able to say they played on the famed Boston Garden parquet floor, something they will always remember.”

Senior captain Lauren Sullivan scored a team-high 14 points. Sophomore Nasha Arnold contributed eight points and 10 rebounds. Senior captain Ali Grasso had eight points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals and senior captain Kiley McCarthy added five points, two rebounds and two steals.

KILEY McCARTHY fires up a corner 3-pointer from NBA range at the TD Garden on March 11. (Dan Pawlowski Photo)

Foxboro jumped out to a quick 10-2 lead at the end of the first quarter and extended that lead to 28-15 at halftime.

In the third, the Warriors further extended that lead and when the Hornets made a run it was too little, too late.

ALI GRASSO drives to the hoop against Foxboro at the TD Garden. (Dan Pawlowski Photo)

“There were many factors that went into this incredible tournament run,” said Romeo. “First and foremost, it was the leadership and play of our three outstanding senior captains: Ali (Grasso), Lauren (Sullivan) and Kiley (McCarthy). Secondly, was the play of our forwards Nasha Arnold, junior Sarah Gerber, sophomore Riley Cullen and sophomore Kayla Imbriano.

“And not to be overlooked was the outstanding energy and enthusiasm of our players on the bench who were as entertaining as the players on the court.”