Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Record Breaker, Melrose Sets New ML Standard with 53 Consecutive Wins
The Melrose Lady Raiders (15-0), who haven't had a home court for almost two seasons, traveled to Reading's renovated fieldhouse and battled to a 54-44 win over the previously 12-3 Rockets. Reading looked to win its first girls' hoop game against Melrose since January 27, 1998.
Reading features two certain All-League players in Mary Silvia and Tegan Atallah, and North Shore league volleyball Player of the Year versatile Meredith Gent. Coach Kim Penney leads the Rockets into the tournament yearly, and they are notoriously tough at home.
Melrose raced out to an 8-2 start after Gent's opening jumper, but Silvia answered back with four hoops to knot the score at 10. Reading played a matchup combination zone against Melrose's Shey Peddy, limiting her opportunities to get to the basket, and Melrose led at halftime 19-18 behind 7 points from Meg Kirwan, playing her best game as a Lady Raider.
Two early fouls limited Siena Mamayek's output at both ends, and turnovers plagued both teams, particularly traveling calls in the rebounding action.
The second half brought out more tenacious Reading defense and the Rockets led 28-25 with 8:56 remaining. Then Melrose launced a devastating press, going on an 8-0 run in less than two minutes which gave them the lead for good. Emily Clark sparked the defense off the bench, and both freshmen Hannah Brickley and Laura Irwin provided solid board play off the bench.
Silvia was magnificent playing the point and doing much of the shooting for Reading, firing in 21 points. Also, she penetrated effectively at times, laying the ball down to Reading forwards for easy hoops.
Melrose held the advantage and actually widened it down the stretch behind 17 second half Peddy points, 17 for the game for Kirwan, and 10 points and several key rebounds by Lynley DeAmato. Melrose also nailed 9 of 10 free throws in the second half to remain unblemished.
Lost but not least was Melrose's unique accomplishment of achieving 53 consecutive Middlesex League victories, which eclipsed their previous record. They had two league victories at the end of the 2003-4 season, 18 in each of the previous two seasons, and fifteen this season.
Melrose went with a considerably shortened rotation for the Reading game, with Kirwan, Peddy, and DeAmato providing yeoman duty and 48 of the team's 54 points. The Melrose inside game struggled against the taller Rockets, and Pandolfo played Peddy tough in a very physical defensive display.
Lady Raider Notes: Melrose prepares for the St. Mary's tournament in almost two weeks, with commentary abstracted from Tom Hellen's commentary at Mass Live.
The St Mary's tourney is Sunday, February 18, and Monday February 19.
The Division 1 portion is Lowell, Melrose (a D2 club that plays like a D1), Peabody and Lynn Classical.
The Division 2 portion is St. Mary's, Lynnfield, Newburyport and Lynn English.
On Sunday the games are St. Mary's vs. Lynnfield (2:00), Newburyport vs. English at (3:30), Lowell vs. Melrose (5:00) and Peabody vs. Lynn Classical (7:00). All games are at St. Mary's High School in Lynn.
On Monday the Division 2 consolation is at 2:00, Division 1 consolation is at 3:30, the Division 2 final is at 5:00 and the Division 1 final is at 7:00.
For Melrose hoop history buffs, the Woburn Daily Times Chronicle, with its outstanding sports page provides an overview of the Lady Raiders' success the past few seasons.
Reading features two certain All-League players in Mary Silvia and Tegan Atallah, and North Shore league volleyball Player of the Year versatile Meredith Gent. Coach Kim Penney leads the Rockets into the tournament yearly, and they are notoriously tough at home.
Melrose raced out to an 8-2 start after Gent's opening jumper, but Silvia answered back with four hoops to knot the score at 10. Reading played a matchup combination zone against Melrose's Shey Peddy, limiting her opportunities to get to the basket, and Melrose led at halftime 19-18 behind 7 points from Meg Kirwan, playing her best game as a Lady Raider.
Two early fouls limited Siena Mamayek's output at both ends, and turnovers plagued both teams, particularly traveling calls in the rebounding action.
The second half brought out more tenacious Reading defense and the Rockets led 28-25 with 8:56 remaining. Then Melrose launced a devastating press, going on an 8-0 run in less than two minutes which gave them the lead for good. Emily Clark sparked the defense off the bench, and both freshmen Hannah Brickley and Laura Irwin provided solid board play off the bench.
Silvia was magnificent playing the point and doing much of the shooting for Reading, firing in 21 points. Also, she penetrated effectively at times, laying the ball down to Reading forwards for easy hoops.
Melrose held the advantage and actually widened it down the stretch behind 17 second half Peddy points, 17 for the game for Kirwan, and 10 points and several key rebounds by Lynley DeAmato. Melrose also nailed 9 of 10 free throws in the second half to remain unblemished.
Lost but not least was Melrose's unique accomplishment of achieving 53 consecutive Middlesex League victories, which eclipsed their previous record. They had two league victories at the end of the 2003-4 season, 18 in each of the previous two seasons, and fifteen this season.
Melrose went with a considerably shortened rotation for the Reading game, with Kirwan, Peddy, and DeAmato providing yeoman duty and 48 of the team's 54 points. The Melrose inside game struggled against the taller Rockets, and Pandolfo played Peddy tough in a very physical defensive display.
Lady Raider Notes: Melrose prepares for the St. Mary's tournament in almost two weeks, with commentary abstracted from Tom Hellen's commentary at Mass Live.
The St Mary's tourney is Sunday, February 18, and Monday February 19.
The Division 1 portion is Lowell, Melrose (a D2 club that plays like a D1), Peabody and Lynn Classical.
The Division 2 portion is St. Mary's, Lynnfield, Newburyport and Lynn English.
On Sunday the games are St. Mary's vs. Lynnfield (2:00), Newburyport vs. English at (3:30), Lowell vs. Melrose (5:00) and Peabody vs. Lynn Classical (7:00). All games are at St. Mary's High School in Lynn.
On Monday the Division 2 consolation is at 2:00, Division 1 consolation is at 3:30, the Division 2 final is at 5:00 and the Division 1 final is at 7:00.
For Melrose hoop history buffs, the Woburn Daily Times Chronicle, with its outstanding sports page provides an overview of the Lady Raiders' success the past few seasons.
// posted by Ron Sen, MD, FCCP @ 9:37 PM 
