Here's Why North Reading Can Beat Watertown

Have you come down from the big win over Greater Lawrence Wednesday night? Here's hoping the answer is yes because a bigger challenge awaits the Hornets in top-seeded Watertown.

North Reading travels to Watertown for a quarterfinal matchup Friday night in the Division 3 North boys' basketball tournament. The Raiders enter the tournament at 18-2 and are led by Middlesex Freedom co-MVP John Korte. North Reading is 14-7 after beating Greater Lawrence, 66-61, in the first round. Though the odds are against North Reading, here are a few reasons the Hornets have a shot.

Watertown hasn't played a game in more than two weeks. The Raiders last win was a 49-47 win over Wakefield, a team that finished the year 9-10.

This isn't the same Watertown team that years ago would routinely flirt with 100 points. The Raiders average 56 ppg and have a high of 82 points against Green Academy of Boston. A commitment to defense means the Hornets will have a chance to win in the fourth quarter.

Offensively North Reading is on a roll, scoring an average of more than 70 ppg in the past month.

North Reading blew out Green Academy, 86-45. Wakefield struggled to beat Green Academy three weeks ago, 82-76.

Watertown coach Steve Harrington watched Lynnfield beat Stoneham on Monday. Why, because he thinks he's going to win and Lynnfield could be his semifinal opponent. That should irritate the Hornets.

So don't fret North Reading. You've got a shot.