Published January 14, 2021

By DAN NUNN

SENIOR Brayden Scribner is one of three captains leading the Hornets in 2021. (NRHS Athletics Photo)

NORTH READING — In a season unlike any other, in the face of uncertainty due to the fluid COVID-19 situation, the NRHS boys’ basketball team will need to count on their tri-captains and four other returning players to get through the season.

“The pandemic has thrown everything out of whack and it’s certainly been an adjustment,” said head coach Joe Casey. “We are looking to establish our identity as a team and without any preseason scrimmages it’s been a big learning curve. We are leaning heavily on our three captains and our returning players to provide leadership and stability particularly in the early going.”

The three returning starters in the backcourt are all captains and definitely the team’s strength. Senior Will Taylor, who was a CAL All-League player last year, is a four-year varsity player who does a little bit of everything on both ends of the floor. Senior point guard Brayden Scribner is a terrific facilitator that is more concerned with getting others involved rather than scoring. Junior sharpshooter Cody Cannalonga, who was a CAL All-Star last season, is a tremendous scorer that on any given night has the potential to go off offensively.

There are four more varsity returners: seniors Braeden Beal and Robbie Tammaro and juniors John Jennings and Quinn Riesenberg all got significant minutes last year

There’s also a strong group of newcomers that Casey is excited about. Sophomore Andrew Boulas, juniors Casey O’Connor, Ryan Baker, Ryan Tyrrell, Brian McKenna and senior Mike Vittozzi are hard workers with a great knowledge of the game that will provide depth off the bench.

Despite the challenging situation, Casey is happy to get his team on the court.

“Giving these kids an opportunity to compete this winter is more important than ever. For a lot of these kids and their families, basketball has been a huge part of their life. We are so grateful to have the opportunity to compete. This is a great group of kids who play hard and are easy to coach.”

The Hornets are off to a 1-2 start this season with losses to Hamilton-Wenham (56-46) and Georgetown (63-56) before beating Lynnfield 85-72 on Monday. The Hornets traveled to Ipswich on Wednesday after press time. They remain on the road this Friday night against Newburyport at 5:45 p.m.