Melrose Lady Raiders Basketball

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.