Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Five in the Side Pocket
The Melrose Lady Raiders ran their record to 5-0, and Dave Brady's career coaching wins to 188 with a pair of wins on Tuesday and Wednesday over Burlington and Lexington.
Melrose traveled to Burlington (4-1) to face the improved Red Devils who had beaten Division I Malden to gain a measure of early season respect. Melrose again jumped out to an early lead, 12-0 behing aggressive defense. The teams traded baskets briefly before Melrose suffered a pair of injuries. Shey Peddy got a gratuitous elbow to the head and missed over 16 minutes of action, and Lynley DeAmato sprained her ankle and missed the entire second half.
Melrose led 25-14 at intermission, but the contest was in doubt, with two starters down. Fortunately for Melrose, a determined second half effort resulted in a twenty-five point lead with four minutes left, before Burlington pressed successfully against Melrose's reserves to close the deficit to 54-47.
The game was marred by a loss of officiating control, resulting in what can only called flagrant fouling, which could have led to more injuries. Although Melrose players can hardly be called wallflowers, Burlington took what a number of observers felt were hard fouls outside the scope of competitive play.
Paula Sen had twenty four points including seventeen in the second half to allow Melrose to keep control of the game.
Wednesday, Melrose went to Lexington to make up a game 'rained out' because of a roof leak. Lexington was a pre-season favorite to unseat Melrose as it seeks its seventh consecutive Middlesex League title. Unfortunately, Lynley DeAmato was unable to go, as was Lexington's excellent post player, Cecily Chisholm.
Lexington elected to press Melrose with a 1-2-2 three quarter court trap, that Melrose handled efficiently. Nevertheless, Lexington continued to try to slow the game down overall, with limited success. Shey Peddy had a couple of quick threes, one from international waters and another conventional three, and Melrose held a 30-21 halftime lead after going on an 8-0 run to finish the half.
During the second half, Melrose's suffocating man-to-man defense wore down Lexington, and Melrose pulled away to a 61-39 win.
Megan Kirwan had her first varsity start for Melrose and played good defense, and contributed some offensive highlights. The other four Melrose starters, Cara Lynch, Peddy, Karen and Paula Sen, all finished in double figures. Peddy had some pinpoint passes setting up the Sens inside, and Lynch was a defensive demon, had a couple of treys, and overall had a stellar contribution.
Lynley DeAmato is expected to return for Friday's contest at Stoneham against Woburn.
Ana Tocco made her first appearance of the season, returning from a medical absence.
Coach Mike Izzo is back on the bench, and recently 'Tan' Peddy, Shey's dad has been assisting part-time helping the post players strengthen their game.
Melrose traveled to Burlington (4-1) to face the improved Red Devils who had beaten Division I Malden to gain a measure of early season respect. Melrose again jumped out to an early lead, 12-0 behing aggressive defense. The teams traded baskets briefly before Melrose suffered a pair of injuries. Shey Peddy got a gratuitous elbow to the head and missed over 16 minutes of action, and Lynley DeAmato sprained her ankle and missed the entire second half.
Melrose led 25-14 at intermission, but the contest was in doubt, with two starters down. Fortunately for Melrose, a determined second half effort resulted in a twenty-five point lead with four minutes left, before Burlington pressed successfully against Melrose's reserves to close the deficit to 54-47.
The game was marred by a loss of officiating control, resulting in what can only called flagrant fouling, which could have led to more injuries. Although Melrose players can hardly be called wallflowers, Burlington took what a number of observers felt were hard fouls outside the scope of competitive play.
Paula Sen had twenty four points including seventeen in the second half to allow Melrose to keep control of the game.
Wednesday, Melrose went to Lexington to make up a game 'rained out' because of a roof leak. Lexington was a pre-season favorite to unseat Melrose as it seeks its seventh consecutive Middlesex League title. Unfortunately, Lynley DeAmato was unable to go, as was Lexington's excellent post player, Cecily Chisholm.
Lexington elected to press Melrose with a 1-2-2 three quarter court trap, that Melrose handled efficiently. Nevertheless, Lexington continued to try to slow the game down overall, with limited success. Shey Peddy had a couple of quick threes, one from international waters and another conventional three, and Melrose held a 30-21 halftime lead after going on an 8-0 run to finish the half.
During the second half, Melrose's suffocating man-to-man defense wore down Lexington, and Melrose pulled away to a 61-39 win.
Megan Kirwan had her first varsity start for Melrose and played good defense, and contributed some offensive highlights. The other four Melrose starters, Cara Lynch, Peddy, Karen and Paula Sen, all finished in double figures. Peddy had some pinpoint passes setting up the Sens inside, and Lynch was a defensive demon, had a couple of treys, and overall had a stellar contribution.
Lynley DeAmato is expected to return for Friday's contest at Stoneham against Woburn.
Ana Tocco made her first appearance of the season, returning from a medical absence.
Coach Mike Izzo is back on the bench, and recently 'Tan' Peddy, Shey's dad has been assisting part-time helping the post players strengthen their game.
// posted by Ron Sen, MD, FCCP @ 10:19 PM 
