Saturday, February 11, 2006
Seventh Heaven
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.
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.
// posted by Ron Sen, MD, FCCP @ 7:47 AM 
