Melrose Lady Raiders Basketball

Division II North Girls' Basketball Championship Trophy comes 'home' to Melrose...

photo: M. Webb

Program booklet cover for 2005-2006 banquet

The Melrose Lady Raiders held their annual post-season banquet and awards ceremony Monday April 10th, at the Chipman Avenue VFW hall. Booster Club president Kevin Erb served as emcee with his usual blend of wit and wisdom. He noted that High School Principal Dan Burke couldn't attend because he was touring China as part of an exchange program. Erb commented that 'it was a long way to go for take-out.'

Once again Avellino's did a fantastic job of preparing and serving a buffet dinner for the approximately 125 people in attendance.

Players at all levels of high school received recognition for their efforts and contribution, including certificates or varsity letters, and T-shirts as mementos of the season.

Sheylani Peddy received the Most Valuable Player award, Lynley 'Ling-Ling' DeAmato was unsung hero, Captains Cara Lynch and Karen and Paula Sen received Lady Raider Awards, and seniors Ana Tocco, Sam Bell, and Maura Coveney received Senior Appreciation awards. Meg Kirwan was awarded the Sixth Player award.

The seniors presented the coaches awards and mementos, including framed autographed photographs of the Division II North trophy presentation. Coach Brady got a Build-A-Bear basketball coach bear as well.

Kevin Erb recognized many of the unsung figures that have meant so much to the success of the program including local coaches Steve Kirwan, Ralph LaBella, and Mark Pearson, former Athletic Director Sonny Lane (who came down from Maine with his wife Paula for the evening), and many of the local basketball sponsors.

The Boosters Club also presented gifts to the MMTV Production staff, including Mark Dustin, Chuck Person, John O'Neill, John O'Neill Jr., Pat Loughnane, and Peter Gilardi.

The varsity team awarded a special gift to the 'Mom of the Year', June Pearson, who hosted the team most Tuesdays and Fridays before home games, and the Boosters Club recognized Ellen Sen for her years of dedicated service including organization, fund raising, and secretarial duties for the Boosters Club.

Erb also recognized all the seniors for their contribution to the program, also noting the superior academic achievement that the group had produced in addition to their athletic accomplishments with the seniors four year overall record of 90-6.

Perhaps the highlights of the evening came with a 38 minute video highlight presentation of the season, including key clips from post-season victories over Arlington Catholic, Bishop Fenwick, and Masconomet, and segments from the EMASS Championship game at Boston Garden where the Lady Raiders fell to eventual State Champion Oliver Ames 50-47.

Tonight the Lady Raiders Booster Club, in conjunction with fantastic community support, holds its annual Breakup Dinner and awards ceremony.

Melrose graduates six seniors, Sam Bell, Maura Coveney, Cara Lynch, Karen Sen, Paula Sen, and Ana Tocco, and celebrates another successful season. The seniors are working through their college decisions including college visits in the next few weeks.

In addition to a catered buffet, the evening will host awards by the coaching staff, the usual wonderful emceeing of Booster Club President Kevin Erb, and what we are told is a memorable 38 minute video produced by the incomparable duo of Mark Dustin and Chuck Person.

We thank all who contributed their time, energy, and support for this very special team.

LADY RAIDERS TEAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Second appearance in Boston Garden in four years (Massachusetts version of the Final Four)

Third appearance at the Division 2 North Finals (Tsongas Arena) in 4 years

Second Division 2 North Championship in four years, third in seven years

Defeated previously undefeated Masconomet in Division 2 North Final http://www.boston.com/sports/schools/basketball/articles/2006/03/12/peddy_steals_win_for_red_raiders/

Record Seventh consecutive Middlesex League Title

Second consecutive undefeated regular season

Third undefeated regular season in four years

Tenth consecutive appearance in post-season play, most among Middlesex League teams

Team won-loss record 46-2 over two years

Seniors four year record, inclusive 90-6, regular season 78-2

Ranked fifth in postseason Boston Globe and Boston Herald polls

Over 25 point average margin of victory during the regular season

All achieved with the benefit of playing ONE home game on the season

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENTS AND MILESTONES

All five starters (Lynley DeAmato, Cara Lynch, Sheylani Peddy, Karen Sen, Paula Sen) voted to the Middlesex League All-Star Team (coaches cannot vote for their own players)

Coach Brady, 200th career win at Melrose High School

Karen Sen, Middlesex ALL-LEAGUE

Paula Sen, Middlesex ALL-LEAGUE (second consecutive year)

Karen and Paula Sen, played in state finals and semifinals in two different sports in the same year

Karen and Paula Sen, http://www.t25v.com/ selected Honorable Mention top EMASS girls' basketball players

Sheylani Peddy - 1000th career point, first MHS basketball player to achieve this as a junior

Sheylani Peddy - Melrose Weekly winter sports MVP

Sheylani Peddy - 26 points and 13 steals in Division 2 North Championship game

Sheylani Peddy - 23 points at Boston Garden, while playing injured (a profile of great effort and athletic courage)

Sheylani Peddy - Middlesex League, ALL-LEAGUE (third consecutive season)

Sheylani Peddy - Middlesex League, MVP (second consecutive season)

Sheylani Peddy - http://www.t25v.com/ selected First team, best EMASS girls' basketball players

Sheylani Peddy - Boston Globe Super Team