Hornets earn CAL Sportsmanship Award

Published in the February 22, 2018 edition

By DAN NUNN

NORTH READING — Nine Hornets scored en route to their 66-44 blowout victory over the Ipswich Tigers on February 13 in North Reading’s final home game of the 2017-18 season.

Colin Boucher led the way for NRHS with 17 points and senior Tim Peach was terrific off the bench with 10 points and 7 rebounds.

Ipswich got off to a great start and at the 6:37 mark of the second quarter held a 21-13 lead. But the Hornets regrouped in a big way and closed the quarter on a superb 17-2 run to take a 30-23 lead into the break.

North Reading continued to take it to the Tigers in the third quarter. They scored 23 points in the quarter and by the end of three the lead ballooned to 53-33. It was more of the same in the fourth. Coach Casey emptied the bench and the lead got as big as 66-39.

COLIN BOUCHER (32) was named a Cape Ann League First Team All-Star. The senior was North Reading’s leading scorer this season. Boucher had a combined 36 points in the Hornets’ two wins to end the season. Also pictured is junior Matt Solecki (20) who was named a CAL 2nd team All-Star. (John Friberg Photo)

Close Season with 61-55 win at Triton

The Hornets closed the season with two wins in a row with their 61-55 victory over the Triton Vikings on Thursday.

Colin Boucher was terrific in his final game and earned a double-double with 19 points 10 rebounds. Junior Ryan Connor finished with 12 points and Matt Solecki picked up 10.

Connor carried North Reading in the first quarter. He hit four 3-pointers and NRHS was up 16-12 after one. Thanks to great efforts off the bench from senior tri-captain Burke Riesenberg and junior Francis Walsh the Hornets expanded the lead in the second. By halftime the lead was 34-25.

Behind the efforts of senior big men Boucher, Lionel Beane and Tim Peach the lead opened up in the third. NRHS went up by as much as 16 and carried an 11 point lead into the fourth quarter. Triton was able to cut the lead in the fourth. But the Hornets were able to hold off the Vikings and escaped with the win.

NRHS earn Sportsmanship Award

Despite finishing the season at 8-12 the Hornets picked up some postseason awards. Senior Colin Boucher was named to the CAL All-League Team and junior tri-captain Matt Solecki was named to the All-League 2nd Team. The entire varsity team was also given the CAL Sportsmanship Award as well.