Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Seventh Heaven
The 6-0 Lady Raiders traveled to Reading's Hawkes Fieldhouse to face the undefeated Reading Lady Rockets (6-0) in a battle for first place in the Middlesex League.
Melrose jumped out to a quick start led by Lynley DeAmato, scoring the game's first ten points before Reading mounted a counterattack. Guard Mary Silvia was on fire, particularly in the first half, as Reading mounted a spirited comeback, aided by foul trouble landing Paula Sen, Sheylani Peddy, and Cara Lynch on the bench. Reading took the lead with about four minutes left in the first half, before Melrose could recapture it at 26-25. Lynley's leg injury seems to be showing no residual effects with her dominating first half output against Reading.
At times, Melrose appeared rushed, trying to force the transition game, which, to Reading's credit, was held in check. Also, with some less familiar combinations, Melrose's offensive continuity struggled.
Whatever Coach Brady relayed to the team at halftime proved to be the right medicine, with Melrose coming out ablaze in the second half. Sheylani Peddy drained a couple of quick threes, the ball movement became crisp, and decision-making solid, as Melrose gradually pulled away. Meghan Kirwan looked solid off the bench as well.
Unofficially, Shey Peddy, Karen Sen, and Lynley DeAmato all hit for double figures and Paula Sen had nine after missing much of the first half with foul trouble. Cara Lynch was spectacular on defense and had some electrifying drives in the second half as well.
The win was Melrose's fifteenth consecutive against rival Reading, and Coach Dave Brady's 190th as the Melrose skipper.
Melrose faces Stoneham Friday at mutual home court Stoneham, with only Stoneham and Wakefield yet unencountered in the first trip around the Middlesex League.
Melrose jumped out to a quick start led by Lynley DeAmato, scoring the game's first ten points before Reading mounted a counterattack. Guard Mary Silvia was on fire, particularly in the first half, as Reading mounted a spirited comeback, aided by foul trouble landing Paula Sen, Sheylani Peddy, and Cara Lynch on the bench. Reading took the lead with about four minutes left in the first half, before Melrose could recapture it at 26-25. Lynley's leg injury seems to be showing no residual effects with her dominating first half output against Reading.
At times, Melrose appeared rushed, trying to force the transition game, which, to Reading's credit, was held in check. Also, with some less familiar combinations, Melrose's offensive continuity struggled.
Whatever Coach Brady relayed to the team at halftime proved to be the right medicine, with Melrose coming out ablaze in the second half. Sheylani Peddy drained a couple of quick threes, the ball movement became crisp, and decision-making solid, as Melrose gradually pulled away. Meghan Kirwan looked solid off the bench as well.
Unofficially, Shey Peddy, Karen Sen, and Lynley DeAmato all hit for double figures and Paula Sen had nine after missing much of the first half with foul trouble. Cara Lynch was spectacular on defense and had some electrifying drives in the second half as well.
The win was Melrose's fifteenth consecutive against rival Reading, and Coach Dave Brady's 190th as the Melrose skipper.
Melrose faces Stoneham Friday at mutual home court Stoneham, with only Stoneham and Wakefield yet unencountered in the first trip around the Middlesex League.
// posted by Ron Sen, MD, FCCP @ 10:24 PM 
