Saturday, March 04, 2006
Melrose Survives and Advances 66-59, over AC
Melrose hosted Catholic League champion Arlington Catholic at Stoneham High School, advancing to the Division II North semifinals with a 66-59 victory. A capacity crowd filled the stands at Stoneham, and fans arriving late were turned away. The Cougars came off a pounding of Middlesex League foe Wakefield in Round one, and an impressive performance in the Comcast Tournament, so Melrose knew it was in for a catfight.
Despite three scrimmages in preparation for AC, Melrose looked tight and tentative early, with the score knotted at four after four minutes. Fortunately, Sheylani Peddy came out with guns blazing leading Melrose to a six point first half lead, only to have AC's Elise Caira (34 points) propel AC to a 35-34 first half lead. Melrose's carelessness with the ball contributed with 10 first half turnovers.
The second half brought more tranquility and ball security for Melrose as they relentless wore down the younger Cougars, despite foul trouble for Lynley DeAmato who had the unenviable task of trying to slow down Caira. Caira fired in her 27th point of the game and 1000th of her career midway through the second stanza.
However, with Shey piling up the points (24) and steals (6), Melrose got its post game going with Karen and Paula Sen both in double figures and shutting down AC's inside game. The Lady Raiders pulled out to a twelve point second half lead, never allowing the Cougars to pull closer than six points down the stretch. In a key second half play, Sheylani had a diving steal, flying over the scorer's table and hitting her head, flipping the ball back over her head to Paula for a driving layup and momentum breaker. Meg Kirwan, playing big minutes with Lynley in foul trouble, had a pair of key three pointers to help the Melrose cause.
Lady Raider notes. Melrose (21-0) advances to meet the winner of Bishop Fenwick at Charlestown, with the site and date to be determined. The Lady Raiders came into last night's contest with a 78-2 record during the past four regular seasons, and 87-5 including the playoffs. During the past two seasons, they now stand at 44-1. In other action last night, Lincoln-Sudbury topped Westford 63-54 to move into the semifinals against today's Gloucester-Masconomet winner.
Despite three scrimmages in preparation for AC, Melrose looked tight and tentative early, with the score knotted at four after four minutes. Fortunately, Sheylani Peddy came out with guns blazing leading Melrose to a six point first half lead, only to have AC's Elise Caira (34 points) propel AC to a 35-34 first half lead. Melrose's carelessness with the ball contributed with 10 first half turnovers.
The second half brought more tranquility and ball security for Melrose as they relentless wore down the younger Cougars, despite foul trouble for Lynley DeAmato who had the unenviable task of trying to slow down Caira. Caira fired in her 27th point of the game and 1000th of her career midway through the second stanza.
However, with Shey piling up the points (24) and steals (6), Melrose got its post game going with Karen and Paula Sen both in double figures and shutting down AC's inside game. The Lady Raiders pulled out to a twelve point second half lead, never allowing the Cougars to pull closer than six points down the stretch. In a key second half play, Sheylani had a diving steal, flying over the scorer's table and hitting her head, flipping the ball back over her head to Paula for a driving layup and momentum breaker. Meg Kirwan, playing big minutes with Lynley in foul trouble, had a pair of key three pointers to help the Melrose cause.
Lady Raider notes. Melrose (21-0) advances to meet the winner of Bishop Fenwick at Charlestown, with the site and date to be determined. The Lady Raiders came into last night's contest with a 78-2 record during the past four regular seasons, and 87-5 including the playoffs. During the past two seasons, they now stand at 44-1. In other action last night, Lincoln-Sudbury topped Westford 63-54 to move into the semifinals against today's Gloucester-Masconomet winner.
// posted by Ron Sen, MD, FCCP @ 6:27 AM 
