Saturday, March 11, 2006
Melrose Rolls, Garden up Next
The Melrose Lady Raiders captured the Division II North sectional championship for the second time in four years, defeating previously undefeated Masconomet 68-54 at Tsongas Arena. As a result, Melrose will face Oliver Ames at the TD Banknorth Garden Monday for the EMASS championship.
Undefeated Melrose (23-0) used a game plan based on continuous pressure defense to subdue Masconomet's perimeter offense, and relied on All-Scholastic Sheylani Peddy's brilliance and balanced scoring from the supporting cast. Peddy led Melrose with 26 points, THIRTEEN steals, and six assists, followed by Cara Lynch with 12 points, Karen Sen with 10, and Lynley DeAmato and Paula Sen with 9 apiece. However, another critical piece of the pie was stifling defense of the bench by Meg Kirwan, who helped hold Kristin D'Avolio to 7 points after she put up 25 against Lincoln-Sudbury.
Melrose dominated on both ends of the glass during the first half, which along with stingy defense gave them an unbeatable cushion.
Both teams started slowly with some championship game jitters, but Melrose whittled out a 12-6 advantage early. They gradually opened it up, behind the scoring and defense of Peddy, and an outburst of ten points from Cara Lynch. Meanwhile, the Lady Raiders were holding down Masco, with the exception of Michelle Fauci who banged home three treys to throw in twelve first half points. Melrose carried a 42-25 lead into the intermission.
In the second half, Melrose played a controlled, mature half, milking the clock and trying to stay out of foul trouble. They stretched the lead up to 21 points on a couple of occasions, only to have Fauci and Carolyn Stewart rein it back in. Masco never closed to less than 12.
Masco coach Bob Romeo conceded the game with a minute to go, subbing out his starters, and the crowd gave both teams a rousing standing ovation.
Lady Raider Notes: This was the third sectional championship for Coach David Brady, who also earned his 200th Melrose career win this season. The victory finally erased the bitter aftertaste of last year's last minute defeat at the hands of Gloucester.
Shey Peddy was magnificent as she led Melrose to victory, campaigning for a Super Team spot with her brilliance. She has averaged almost 23 points a game in this season's postseason tournament.
The experts proved right on this one, as Coach Storm of www.t25v.com predicted a Melrose D2 North title before the playoffs, as did The Boston Herald, led by nationally acclaimed writer Danny Ventura.
Masconomet Coach Bob Romeo was effusive in his praise of Melrose after the game, coming over to congratulate Melrose and speaking to a number of the players individually.
Melrose moved to 23-0 with the victory and 90-5 during the past four seasons.
Undefeated Melrose (23-0) used a game plan based on continuous pressure defense to subdue Masconomet's perimeter offense, and relied on All-Scholastic Sheylani Peddy's brilliance and balanced scoring from the supporting cast. Peddy led Melrose with 26 points, THIRTEEN steals, and six assists, followed by Cara Lynch with 12 points, Karen Sen with 10, and Lynley DeAmato and Paula Sen with 9 apiece. However, another critical piece of the pie was stifling defense of the bench by Meg Kirwan, who helped hold Kristin D'Avolio to 7 points after she put up 25 against Lincoln-Sudbury.
Melrose dominated on both ends of the glass during the first half, which along with stingy defense gave them an unbeatable cushion.
Both teams started slowly with some championship game jitters, but Melrose whittled out a 12-6 advantage early. They gradually opened it up, behind the scoring and defense of Peddy, and an outburst of ten points from Cara Lynch. Meanwhile, the Lady Raiders were holding down Masco, with the exception of Michelle Fauci who banged home three treys to throw in twelve first half points. Melrose carried a 42-25 lead into the intermission.
In the second half, Melrose played a controlled, mature half, milking the clock and trying to stay out of foul trouble. They stretched the lead up to 21 points on a couple of occasions, only to have Fauci and Carolyn Stewart rein it back in. Masco never closed to less than 12.
Masco coach Bob Romeo conceded the game with a minute to go, subbing out his starters, and the crowd gave both teams a rousing standing ovation.
Lady Raider Notes: This was the third sectional championship for Coach David Brady, who also earned his 200th Melrose career win this season. The victory finally erased the bitter aftertaste of last year's last minute defeat at the hands of Gloucester.
Shey Peddy was magnificent as she led Melrose to victory, campaigning for a Super Team spot with her brilliance. She has averaged almost 23 points a game in this season's postseason tournament.
The experts proved right on this one, as Coach Storm of www.t25v.com predicted a Melrose D2 North title before the playoffs, as did The Boston Herald, led by nationally acclaimed writer Danny Ventura.
Masconomet Coach Bob Romeo was effusive in his praise of Melrose after the game, coming over to congratulate Melrose and speaking to a number of the players individually.
Melrose moved to 23-0 with the victory and 90-5 during the past four seasons.
// posted by Ron Sen, MD, FCCP @ 8:04 PM 
