Sunday, November 26, 2006
It's A Long Way to the Top...
Ridin' down the highway
Goin' to a show
Stop in all the by-ways
Playin' rock 'n' roll
Gettin' robbed
Gettin' stoned
Gettin' beat up
Broken boned
Gettin' had
Gettin' took
.................
I tell you folks
It's harder than it looks
It's a long way to the topIf you wanna rock 'n' roll
It's a long way to the topIf you wanna rock 'n' roll
---AC/DC "It's a Long Way to the Top"
The transition to college basketball from high school is anything but easy, regardless of whether you're playing for the love of the game or that Golden Goose, an athletic scholarship. College basketball means long hours of practice and physical training (weight training, nutrition, etc), sometimes exhausting travel, AND the competition is also bigger, faster, and stronger. Of course, you also must bear the weight of college academics.
Here's an abbreviated look at how some former Middlesex League and area players are faring in the college hoop scene early in the 2006-2007 season. What statistics don't measure are the total contribution to the team - defense, effort, attitude, and chemistry. Melrose's Shannon Kirwan heads the ML list and we've selected some top area players to get an overview of their progress.
Area players (above)...
Some recent standout Middlesex League players."It's a long way to the top."
Saturday, November 25, 2006
New Season, New Challenges
"No progress occurs without change, but not all change is progress." - John Wooden
The Melrose Lady Raiders will seek to earn a record eighth consecutive Middlesex League Title with tryouts beginning this week. Despite having graduated six seniors, the team returns a core of outstanding veterans. Long-time Assistant Varsity Coach Rob Ferrante assumes the leadership mantle for the retiring Dave Brady.
Melrose has captured a pair of Division II North Championships in the past four seasons, winning a pair of trips to the Fleet Center/Boston Garden. Last season they lost the EMASS finals to ultimate state champion Oliver Ames, 52-49. The Lady Raiders have also had three undefeated regular seasons in the past four years, and gone 90-6 over that stretch.
Their strength comes from the backcourt, with two-time All-Scholastic and twice Middlesex League MVP Shey Peddy heading a veteran backcourt. Shey is pictured above with Lynley DeAmato in action from last season's Eastern Mass final. Melrose fans have come to expect Shey, one of Eastern Mass' top players, to do whatever it takes - score, pass, rebound, or defend -to make her team better. She was the youngest Lady Raider to ever score a thousand points. Peddy led Melrose over undefeated Masconomet in last year's D2 North final with 23 points and 13 steals. She has yet to commit to one of the numerous Division I schools recruiting her.
The underrated co-captain DeAmato has a lot of college interest too, with a slashing game to the hoop,tenacious defense, and three-point range. Junior Meg Kirwan, another versatile guard is also expected to start and play a prominent role at both ends of the court. Melrose has a lot of talent in reserve at the guard position, with Lauren Murray and Taylor Pearson returning for their senior seasons.
Up front, Junior Emily Clark (left), is expected to shoulder part of the defensive and rebounding responsibilities left vacant following the graduation of Karen (right) and Paula Sen, enjoying their first year at Dartmouth. Clark has the strength and toughness to get the job done, and only needs more experience to become an accomplished inside player. Freshman Siena Mamayek may have the inside track at the other inside position, although expect plenty of competition from returners Sharon Porcaro and Krista Limone.Melrose has a host of talented JV players fighting for spots on the varsity, as well as its deepest, toughest, and most talented freshman class to come along in years. Don't be surprised to see some of these young Lady Raiders emerge both in the backcourt and up front as they garnered valuable experience playing in summer tournaments. A number of these freshman played on other Melrose varsity squads this fall, and have acquired valuable experience in regular and post-season action. We'll have more to say about the newcomers after the team is selected.
What we do know is that repeating won't be easy, with numerous Middlesex League teams returning most of their starting lineups, including always tough Reading, oversized Lexington, as well as Burlington and Wakefield. The Middlesex League overall has the most balance and talent in the past five years.
Also, rumor has it that Melrose will be playing in a February vacation tournament against some of the top powers in Division I including Peabody, Lowell, and Lynn Classical.
Finally, Division II North is loaded this year, with perennial powers Arlington Catholic, Masconomet, Lincoln-Sudbury, Westford, Reading, and others all with designs on the title. It cannot go without saying that the top three division champions also came from the South region.
Unfortunately for Melrose, they remain without a local home gymnasium because of construction and will play their regular season games at Stoneham. Melrose thanks Athletic Director Mike Lahiff and the Stoneham administration for making their facility available on game day.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Last season's Lady Raiders captured their 7th consecutive Middlesex League title, and will have plenty of firepower back, including All-Scholastic Sheylani Peddy, All-star Lynley DeAmato, Meg Kirwan, Emily Clark, Sharon Porcaro, Taylor Pearson, Krista Limone, and Lauren Murray. Coach Dave Brady won't be back, having left coaching. Long-time assistant Rob Ferrante takes over at the Melrose helm.Tuesday, November 07, 2006
"The Best Time of the Year"
Paula Sen used to describe the playoffs as "the best time of the year." And for Melrose girls, they've become accustomed to going to the ball and having the slipper fit.
Recent playoff results for Melrose
2002 1-1 (memorable come-from-behind win over Dracut)
2003 3-1 (D2 North Championship, beat AC)
2004 3-1 (D2 North Championship, beat Dracut)
2005 4-1 (D2 North Championship, beat North Andover, State Finalist)
Tonight at Stoneham (their 'home' site), the Lady Raiders (16-4) host Greater Lowell in a quarterfinal match. Captains Rachel Towle (North Shore League All-League), Laura Dillon (Middlesex League All-Star), and Gina Ciccone (Middlesex League All-Star) lead Melrose's attack and defense.
Including the playoffs, Melrose's past four seasons (2003-2006) have delivered eighty-two victories against just eleven losses and Melrose looks forward to the excitement of post-season play tonight. A big crowd could help Melrose as they seek to defend their D2 North threepeat.
The playoffs begin tonight at Stoneham High School, just off Franklin Street, at 7 P.M. The Lady Raiders wish their sisters on the V-ball squad continued success.
Recent playoff results for Melrose
2002 1-1 (memorable come-from-behind win over Dracut)
2003 3-1 (D2 North Championship, beat AC)
2004 3-1 (D2 North Championship, beat Dracut)
2005 4-1 (D2 North Championship, beat North Andover, State Finalist)
Tonight at Stoneham (their 'home' site), the Lady Raiders (16-4) host Greater Lowell in a quarterfinal match. Captains Rachel Towle (North Shore League All-League), Laura Dillon (Middlesex League All-Star), and Gina Ciccone (Middlesex League All-Star) lead Melrose's attack and defense.
Including the playoffs, Melrose's past four seasons (2003-2006) have delivered eighty-two victories against just eleven losses and Melrose looks forward to the excitement of post-season play tonight. A big crowd could help Melrose as they seek to defend their D2 North threepeat.
The playoffs begin tonight at Stoneham High School, just off Franklin Street, at 7 P.M. The Lady Raiders wish their sisters on the V-ball squad continued success.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Tom Hellen's Masslive.com preview
Coach Storm, a.k.a. Tom Hellen, has his annual preseason analysis posted...and Melrose gets some love.
Here's Tom's Top 10 for Eastern Massachusetts.
1. AC
2. Lincoln-Sudbury
3. Andover
4. Spellman
5. Lowell
6. Masco
7. Westford
8. Needham
9. Franklin
10.Melrose
Here are his thoughts on Melrose, opinions of a basketball afficionado who's seen a lot of girls' hoop:
Melrose – Losing the Sen twins will be tough to overcome but watch this club by mid-February. This year’s version will be dominated by a strong, experienced and deep backcourt. All-World Shey Peddy returns and she might be the best overall player in EMass. Underrated senior Lynley De Amato should finally get her just due this year as the Red Raiders shift more to an outside shooting club, especially early in the campaign. Junior Meghan Kirwan will also be a part of that scenario as she will play a critical role as this kid is a ‘playa’ as well. Lauren Murray rounds out the backcourt depth chart and she’d be a starter on many local clubs. The reason I like them late in the year is their inside game should be rounding into form by then as 6’ junior Emily Clark and their outstanding frosh prospect Siena Mamayek should have plenty of game experience by then. New coach Rob Ferrante should have all his tweaks in place by then as well.
Here's Tom's Top 10 for Eastern Massachusetts.
1. AC
2. Lincoln-Sudbury
3. Andover
4. Spellman
5. Lowell
6. Masco
7. Westford
8. Needham
9. Franklin
10.Melrose
Here are his thoughts on Melrose, opinions of a basketball afficionado who's seen a lot of girls' hoop:
Melrose – Losing the Sen twins will be tough to overcome but watch this club by mid-February. This year’s version will be dominated by a strong, experienced and deep backcourt. All-World Shey Peddy returns and she might be the best overall player in EMass. Underrated senior Lynley De Amato should finally get her just due this year as the Red Raiders shift more to an outside shooting club, especially early in the campaign. Junior Meghan Kirwan will also be a part of that scenario as she will play a critical role as this kid is a ‘playa’ as well. Lauren Murray rounds out the backcourt depth chart and she’d be a starter on many local clubs. The reason I like them late in the year is their inside game should be rounding into form by then as 6’ junior Emily Clark and their outstanding frosh prospect Siena Mamayek should have plenty of game experience by then. New coach Rob Ferrante should have all his tweaks in place by then as well.
