Hornets beat Haverhill, 42-29

Published in the January 11, 2018 edition

CASEY McAULIFFE puts up a jumper over a Haverhill defender. McAuliffe scored 17 points to lead the Hornets to a 42-29 win over Haverhill on Jan. 3. (John Friberg Photo)

By DAN NUNN

NORTH READING — Junior Casey McAuliffe scored 17 points as the Hornets improved to 5-1 with their 42-29 victory over the Haverhill Hillies on Wednesday, January 3. Sophomore Ali Grasso chipped in nine points.

It was all North Reading in the first quarter. McAuliffe scored 11 of the team’s 19 points and NRHS’s suffocating defense held the Hillies to just one made field goal. The Hornets led 19-5 at the end of one. The defensive dominance continued in the second quarter. The lead increased to as much as 17 and the score at the break was 26-12 NRHS.

It was more of the same in the third. Haverhill was held to six points and the lead ballooned to 38-18 after three. North Reading struggled to score in the final quarter but were able to hold off the Hillies, 42-29.

The Hornets are currently ranked 7th in Division 2 North according to the Boston Herald’s weekly girls’ basketball rankings.

North Reading has a busy week as they hosted Manchester-Essex on Tuesday night after press time, followed by trips to Latin Academy on Wednesday night and Lynnfield on Friday night at 6 p.m.