Melrose Lady Raiders Basketball

Excerpt from Steve Pacheco's column 'Around the Rim' at www.woburnonline.com

Girls Streaks

Just in case anyone couldn't figure it out on their own, the Melrose girls has the longest active streak of any Middlesex League program with 10 straight trips to the tournament.

The Lady Red Raiders also just wrapped up their seventh-straight league title, and at 20-0 should be the top seed in the Division 2 pairings. Head coach Dave Brady is in his 11th season with the program and appears as hungry as ever to capture his first state title.

"It was a great season for us this year and it has been a good run," Brady said. "My first year we didn't get in a 7-13, but we have gotten in 10 straight since then."

Brady has coached three MVP's in Quiana Copeland (Northeastern), Shannon Kirwan (Bentley) and now currently two-time MVP Sheylani Peddy. The 2005-06 Lady Red Raiders will look to get further than the 2000 team as Copeland led her club to the state finals only to be knocked off by Monument Mountain Regional High School.

Melrose knocked off Concord-Carlisle in the north finals and Oliver Ames at the Fleetcenter to capture the Eastern Mass title that season

Lady Raider Notes Melrose traveled to Lowell Friday to scrimmage Lowell. Reports have it that the Lady Raiders held their own against the Division I power. Melrose will scrimmage Peabody today in preparation for their first game later this week against Catholic League power Arlington Catholic. Elise Caira, from Wakefield leads AC and is one of the top scorers in EMASS. Rumors have it that Bentley's legendary Barbara Stevens with over 700 career wins has Caira in her formidable sights.

The Middlesex League held its annual All-Star game and awards ceremony at Winchester High School on February 19th. Melrose had all five starters in the game, and '6th man' Meg Kirwan in the three-point shooting contest.

2005-2006 Middlesex League All-League Team

From the left - MVP Shey Peddy, Paula Sen, Karen Sen, Amber Wantman, Jess Igoe, Brittany Kelliher, Mary Silvia, Allie Needham, Kristin Dwyer, and Lauren Yanofsky.

We are Melrose. The Lady Raiders with Coach Dave Brady and their 7th consecutive Middlesex League Trophy.

Melrose legend Shannon Kirwan, the Bentley Lady Falcon point guard with Mom, Karen at the All-Star game.

All-Star representatives: from left, Lynley DeAmato, Shey Peddy, Karen Sen, Paula Sen, Meg Kirwan, Cara Lynch, Coach Dave Brady

The Middlesex League held their annual All-Star game festivities on Sunday April 19th, with the girls stars playing first, followed by the three-point shooting contest, and the boys game.

In what may have been a first, all five Melrose starters (Shey Peddy, Cara Lynch, Lynley DeAmato, Karen Sen, Paula Sen) entered the game as All-Star game as selections. Players are nominated by their coaches, and then voted onto the team, with coaches able to vote only for other teams' players. In other words, all five Melrose starters got lots of respect from the league. Coach Dave Brady and Coach John Rimas of Winchester coached the North squad (Melrose, Watertown, Winchester, and Wakefield) and Coach Beth Simpson of Burlington handled the duties for the south.

In an exciting game, the North pulled out a 58-55 victory behind a Sheylani Peddy bomb from the right side of the top of the key with 2. 4 seconds remaining. All the Melrose players had their moments, contributing the lions' share of the offense for the North.

Middlesex League Basketball Commissioner Mike Lahiff announced the All-League selections as well.

MVP - Sheylani Peddy, Melrose
C - Lauren Yanofsky, Belmont
F - Paula Sen, Melrose
F - Jess Igoe, Lexington
C - Karen Sen, Melrose
F - Kristin Dwyer, Woburn
F - Brittany Kelliher, Wakefield
G - Mary Silvia, Reading
F - Allie Needham, Lexington
G - Amber Wantman, Stoneham

The MHS Boosters congratulate all these girls for representing Middlesex League basketball so well.

With school vacation here, Melrose will prepare for the post-season with scrimmages against Division I powers Peabody, Lowell, and Andover with the tournament draw being announced Friday.

The Melrose Lady Raiders (20-0, 18-0 league) completed their third undefeated regular season in four years, with a 65-42 victory at Wakefield. Wakefield finished their regular season at 13-7 (12-6 league).

The first half was marked by foul trouble and lineup problems for Melrose, as both Karen and Paula Sen had early foul trouble. However, Melrose still led 27-24 at intermission.

The second half brought renewed energy to the team, and scoring power in the persons of Sheylani Peddy and Lynley DeAmato. Peddy rained in threes on Wakefield and DeAmato was strong to the hoop, as they scored 29 and 15 points respectively.

Shey has been on fire for the past seven games, averaging over 20 points a game as the team prepares for the postseason.

It's more than basketball. It's about friendship. It's about life.

Cara Lynch's homemade T-Shirt says it all. Chemistry creates success.

The 2006 Lady Raiders. "Why do we play? Because we like it."

All-Scholastic Sheylani Peddy with Taylor Pearson

Maura Coveney (42) with Anna Tocco (33) and parents.

The Bell family, flanking Samantha.

Karen and Paula (31) Sen with parents

Seniors posed on traditional "Senior Night" cake

Taylor, Karen, and Cara share a laugh before the game.

Krista Limone, Sheylani, and Meg Kirwan
Seniors with coaches Rob Ferrante, Dave Brady, and super scout Mike Izzo

(photos courtesy of SuperFan and Back Row Boys member Dick Collis)

Melrose 68 - Haverhill 38. The Melrose Lady Raiders moved into the final week of the regular season with the task of going into the Haverhill Hillies Gym, taking on the hosts, who had lost by one in overtime to Division I power Central Catholic last week. Haverhill has a proud girls hoop tradition with four state titles in the 90s. Fortunately, for Melrose, they came prepared for a battle. Haverhill played tough, physical basketball, physical enough to land Shey Peddy, Paula Sen, and Cara Lynch on the bench at various times with temporary bumps.

Unfortunately for Haverhill, when Melrose wasn't getting bumped, they were getting hoops, and coasted to a 68-38 win. Melrose led by 13 at the half, and opened the second half with a 22-6 run to put the hosts away. Shey led Melrose with 23, followed by Paula with 13, and Lynley with 12. With the win, Melrose moved to 18-0.

Melrose 68 - Stoneham 39. Melrose has been the beneficiary of the generosity of the Stoneham High School, allowing the Lady Raiders to host their 'home' games at Stoneham. Tonight, Melrose 'hosted' Stoneham at 'Senior Night', celebrating the final home game of Sam Bell, Maura Coveney, Cara Lynch, Karen and Paula Sen, and Ana Tocco. The players gave a balloon and flower to each graduating Stoneham senior, before receiving ones from their own teammates.

In addition to celebrating the occasion, the Lady Raiders met an improving (Division III tourney qualifier) team in Stoneham, a team that had won four consecutive games, including beating Reading. However, even with Karen Sen under the weather, the Lady Raiders got out to a 34-22 lead, and pulled away early in the second half for a convincing 68-39 victory. Four Melrose starters were in double figures, led by Cara Lynch with 12. Shey Peddy, Karen Sen, and Lynley DeAmato all added 11, and Paula Sen put up 9 points in 8 second half minutes after she got into foul trouble with 2 in the first 1:20 gave her a good view.

As usual everyone got in the action, and Meg Kirwan 6 points, and Ana Tocco (5 rebounds) showed strong games in reserve.

Lady Raider Notes. Melrose thanks the fans for their generous support at the games this season, and the Boosters Club hosted a brief celebration after the game, with pizza, soft drinks, and dessert for players, parents, and fans. The parents have done a terrific job hosting team gatherings and pasta parties this season as the team grows together.

Friday night, the Lady Raiders (19-0) will travel to Wakefield to complete the regular season against the Lady Warriors. Wakefield always provides intensity and tough defense as the Lady Raiders (and Wakefield) prepare for the post-season.

This week the Lady Raiders clinched their 7th consecutive Middlesex League title, with their overall record now standing at 17-0. During the past four regular seasons, the Lady Raiders are now 75-2, with a Middlesex League record of 68-2.

This chart reflects records coming into this week. Melrose now stands at 16-0 in the League with two games remaining (Stoneham, Wakefield) while Reading is in second place with a record of 12-4.

Meanwhile, the www.t25v.com EMASS Girls' Basketball poll keeps Melrose in second place, trailing Merrimack Valley perennial power Andover. Number six, Burke, lost yesterday to Cardinal Spellman.

Lady Raider Notes. Reading Coach Kim Penney was most gracious to the Melrose players both before and after the game Friday, including offering to help them with her contacts in the local college scene.

The Boston Herald shows the 17-0 Lady Raiders some love today in their High School Sports section In the Paint. http://sports.bostonherald.com/highSchool/

Highlights from High School Sports Editor Dan Ventura:

"Melrose owns the weapons to atone for the end of last year, starting with All-Scholastic point guard Sheylani Peddy. A recent addition to the school’s 1,000-point club, Peddy’s scoring is down some from last year (16-point average), but every other facet of her game is much improved... Shey can do it all. She’s the real deal.”

Peddy is one of four starters back. The frontcourt is solid with the Sen sisters, Karen and Paula. Both are averaging double-doubles with 10 points and 10 rebounds a game. Shooting guard Cara Lynch is averaging nine points, while last year’s sixth man, Lynley DeAmato, checks in at eight points an outing.

“They all contribute in different ways,” Brady said. “There is a chemistry between the girls. They do what it takes. Cara is the defensive sparkplug. She takes on the other team’s point guard because she is so fast.”

Melrose's contest at Haverhill today looks to be highly in doubt, in the face of the blizzard, with up to 18 inches of snow expected. Highschoolsports.net reports that the game is postponed to 7 p.m Monday at Haverhill.

Melrose (15-0 Middlesex League, 16-0 overall) came in to Stoneham hosting second place Reading (12-3) needing a victory to clinch the Middlesex League title for the seventh consecutive season. Both teams were at full strength, and the game figured to be closely contested. It didn't turn out that way. Melrose prevailed 67-49.

Melrose scored the first seven points before Reading countered, and the Lady Raiders gradually built their first half lead behind the devastating lead solo of Shey Peddy with fifteen first half points, with Paula Sen on backup "key boards" rifling in twelve. Melrose led 37-22 at the half.

Reading battled back several times early in the second stanza, but could never get back within single digits. Reading played tough, clean, but physical basketball, led by freshman point guard Jacqueline Lyons and junior shooting guard Mary Silvia, but Melrose had too many guns.

Sheylani Peddy finished with 29 points and Paula Sen added 17, including her first trey of the season. Lynley DeAmato was strong to the hoop adding nine points. But it was a total team effort, with crisp passing (Peddy with ten assists) and a harassing, switching defense sending the Rockets earthward.

It was a night for milestones, as Coach Dave Brady got his 200th Melrose win (ably assisted by Rob Ferrante), and the Boosters Club had balloons, cake, and presents for the coaching staff. Brady mentor, Ellis 'Sonny' Lane and his wife Paula (looking forever young) were on hand coming down from Maine for the celebration. Coach Lane, himself a Massachusetts Hall of Fame coach, remarked that the key to the Raiders' success was 'team basketball'. Meanwhile Shey, with her 29 points, moved into second place on the all-time Melrose list, at 1046, passing Quiana Copeland.

Weather permitting, Melrose travels to Haverhill Sunday to face the Hillies. Haverhill needs two victories to qualify for the tournament and will be loaded for bear. Tuesday offers 'Senior Night' at Stoneham, as the Lady Raiders host Stoneham, much improved and qualified for the tournament behind the coaching of Karen Grutchfield-Scali.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/02/09/peddy_reaches_hoop_milestone/

By Christopher L. Gasper February 9, 2006

Excerpts -

The junior point guard poured in 22 points in the first half, on her way to a 27-point effort, to become only the third Melrose High girls' basketball player to reach the milestone. Shannon Kirwan (1,313) and Quiana Copeland (1,008) are the others.

Peddy could have reached 1,000 sooner, according to Brady. With Melrose, which was 15-0 entering the week, crushing the competition, Peddy hasn't played much in the second half this season. And when she does play, shooting is not her first priority. Peddy's scoring is actually down this year to 15.9 points per game from 19 last season.

''She looks to pass first and she is very unselfish," said Brady. ''She probably could have done it a few games ago, but she passes first and gets everyone involved. That is the type of player she is."

The Roxbury resident, who attends Melrose through the Metco program, is averaging 6.7 assists per game. The Red Raiders have a balanced attack. Twin forwards Paula and Karen Sen are each scoring in double figures, and guards Cara Lynch and Lynley DeAmato are hovering near 10 points per game.

Melrose journeyed to Woburn to face the Lady Tanners who always seem to give Melrose trouble. With Paula Sen sidelined with illness, Maura Coveney lined up at forward and Melrose went into an aerial assault. The Lady Raiders fired in five three-pointers in the first half, including two big early ones from Lynley DeAmato en route to a 34-22 halftime lead. Sheylani Peddy and Karen Sen both had seven points at the half.

Melrose came out firing on all cylinders in the second half, stretching the lead into the twenties, despite the efforts of a determined Woburn five. Melrose wore down the homestanders with superior passing by Peddy and Cara Lynch and a balanced scoring attack. Six Melrose players scored at least eight points, led by Karen (17), Sheylani (12), and Cara (10). Lynley, Meg Kirwan, and Lauren Murray all added a snowman.

Melrose continued to improve at the stripe, going 15 for 22, led by 7 for 8 by Karen.

Lady Raider Notes: The victory brings Melrose to 15-0 in the Middlesex League and 16-0 overall. The fifteen victories clinch at least a tie for the Lady Raiders 7th consecutive Middlesex League titles. Coach Dave Brady earned his 199th Melrose victory with tonight's win. Melrose hosts Reading Friday at Stoneham, trying to clinch the Middlesex League title outright and help Coach Brady to his career milestone.

In the next seven days, Melrose travels to Woburn, hosts Reading at Stoneham (Friday), and has a rematch with Merrimack Valley entry Haverhill next Sunday. Melrose can clinch a tie for the Middlesex League title with a win or a Reading loss, and wins the title outright with any combination of 2 wins or Reading losses.

The polls are out, with Melrose at 2 in the www.t25v.com poll, while the Boston Globe has them at 3, and The Boston Herald ranks them 4th. Consensus number one is Andover, with Lowell close behind.

Sheylani Peddy was named a Player of the Week in all three entries, based on her 27 points per game and achieving 1000 points.

The last time that the Melrose Lady Raiders and the Burlington Lady Devils met, the game ended with bad feelings on both sides. Burlington felt that they could compete with Melrose, having closed with a 13-0 run to lose by 7. Melrose felt that, well, better leave that alone.

Friday night at the Stoneham Spartan Gymnasium, Melrose played inspired basketball to devastate Burlington 75-50. Melrose scored the first ten points, and burst to a 33-13 lead at the six minute mark. That is the scoring equivalent of the Celtics scoring 66 points in a quarter. Sheylani Peddy scored from everywhere, reaching the 1000 point mark at 12:05, with 22 first half points. Shey is the first Melrose basketball player to reach 1000 in their junior year. Officials paused the game, and Shey's parents joined her at center court for pictures and flowers.

Shey took the rest of the half off, and Melrose went into the locker room with a comfortable 46-27 cushion, aided by 10 first half points from Karen Sen.

Melrose came out smoking in the second half, opening up a thirty point lead within a few minutes, and the rout was on, with the Melrose reserves capably finishing the contest.

Peddy (27) led the scoring, and Cara Lynch and Karen Sen also chipped in double figures. Emily Clark had her best game as a Lady Raider as the sophomore post player knocked in five points.

Lady Raider notes. Shey Peddy now stands third on the all-time Melrose scoring list, at 1005. Bentley's Shannon Kirwan is the all-time leader, with Northeastern's Quiana Copeland second. Shey knocked in 54 points in two games this week.

Melrose has produced both offensively and defensively this season, averaging about 65 points per game, while yielding 37 points per game, the lowest total since the 2000 team, that allowed 35 points per game.

Melrose's victories over Belmont and Burlington this week keeps them at number 2 in the www.t25v.com poll (see insert).

Last night's victory brings Coach Dave Brady's Melrose total to 198. During the past four seasons, the Lady Raiders have a Middlesex League record of 66-2, and an overall record of 75-5. The Boosters Club thanks the community for a large turnout last night to help celebrate Shey's accomplishment.

With four games remaining in the league schedule, Melrose holds a three game lead over Reading for the Middlesex League title. Next week Melrose travels to Woburn Tuesday, before hosting Reading next Friday.

Senior Night will be Tuesday, February 14th, at Stoneham High School.