Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Gym Dandy
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Good Basketball, Good Eats?
The MMTV Crew, including Peter Gilardi (L), Chuck Person, and Mark Dustin have a lot to do with the success of the banquet, with their highlight DVD._________________________________________________________________
Middlesex League Basketball Commissioner Mike Lahiff, Stoneham Athletic Director always brings the 'corporate memory' to the event. He often brings the ML Girls Trophy as well. 
One of the local 'godfathers' of Melrose hoops is Steve Kirwan, who has coached locally for years. He has shared his expertise selflessly with Melrose boys and girls, and deserves recognition for superior skill building. 
Meg Kirwan hadn't even heard of her captaincy, but was all smiles anyway.
Emily Clark is another captain for the 2007-2008 season. Emily brings her toughness and skills to the low post.
Every year the naysayers pronounce the Melrose run over. And a lot of them get their own banquet as well. .
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Hardware Wars
This table has some local VIPs, ranging from Municipal Employee of the Year Joan Bell, to ML Commish Mike Lahiff, and local hoop guru and travel coach Ralph Labella.
Co-captain Shey Peddy picks up more hardware, the ML MVP trophy from a grateful Coach Rob Ferrante.
Co-captain Lynley DeAmato must be in awe of emcee Kevin Erb's delivery._________________________________________________________________
Shey must be thinking some of these speeches are getting pretty long-winded.
And here's the prize...the eighth consecutive Middlesex League trophy, the reward for their third consecutive undefeated regular season in league play.Photos courtesy of Don Norris.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Sign of the Times
Not just kid stuff, as some of the Back Row Gang celebrate the break up dinner.________________________________________________________________
Athletic Director Pat Ruggiero has been at Melrose for two years, and had a few titles to crow about in hoop and volleyball. Pat gave us an update on the new gymnasium that will be open for next season.________________________________________________________________
Mayor Rob Dolan is a former Red Raider cager, and brought along a token of the City's appreciation, a sign of the times, the newest street in Melrose.________________________________________________________________
Some say we're just feeding the monster in Melrose, an insatiable drive to win and a community that loves its Lady Raiders. It's easy to see why, with the 2006-2007 team posing in front of their latest banner year. Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Captaincy Announced
Coach Rob Ferrante announced Monday evening that guard Meg Kirwan and forward Emily Clark would assume the mantle of leadership from Sheylani Peddy and Lynley DeAmato.
Kirwan has continued the Kirwan family role, as older sister Shannon was a former Middlesex League two-time MVP and Gatorade Player of the Year. Meg was named to the Middlesex League All-Star team this season, and usually covered the opposition's top guard.
Clark will enter her third year on the Lady Raiders, contributing solid defense, toughness, and rebounding to the frontline. With another year of experience, Emily hopes to help lead the Lady Raiders to their 9th consecutive ML title.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
It's A Wrap - Banquet News and Views
Melrose graduated six seniors, Captains Sheylani Peddy and Lynley DeAmato, and Krysta Limone, Lauren Murray, Taylor Pearson, and Sharon Porcaro. All the seniors received recognition awards, including the coveted Lady Raider Award to Shey and Lynley. The Lady Raider award recipients have their name engraved on the permanent Lady Raider plaque commemorating many of the great players in Melrose hoop history.
Current Coach Rob Ferrante and former Coach Dave Brady both spoke about each player and their contributions to the program.
Stoneham AD, and ML Basketball Commissioner Mike Lahiff presented the League Championship trophy at the banquet.
Melrose finished the season at 21-2, capturing their
- Eighth consecutive Middlesex League Title
- Third consecutive undefeated season in Middlesex League play.
- Melrose holds the current record ML winning streak at 56.
- Melrose had its eighth consecutive 20 win season
- Sheylani Peddy became the all-time boys or girls leading scorer at Melrose with 1614 total career points
- The Lady Raiders are the only ML team to win eight consecutive titles
- Over the past eight seasons, the Lady Raiders are 177-13
- Sheylani Peddy was ML MVP for the third consecutive season
- Shey was named to both the Boston Globe Super Team and the Boston Herald Dream Team, and received a McDonald's All-American Nomination
- Shey and Lynley were both ML All-League players, Meg Kirwan was an All-Star.
Mayor Rob Dolan presented the Lady Raiders a unique honor. Melrose, the second smallest city in the Commonwealth, will now have a street named after the girls - DYNASTY DRIVE - and he brought the sign to prove it.
The Boosters Club presented a new banner commemorating former coach Dave Brady's achievements and June Pearson read a letter of thanks to Coach Brady.
Sheylani Peddy's name was added to the 1000 Point Scorer banner, sharing honors with former Lady Raider standouts Quiana Copeland and Shannon Kirwan.
The new banners and old banners will hang in the new Middle School Gymnasium which is expected to open this fall, replacing the Daffinee Gymnasium as the Lady Raider's home court.
Also, the Boosters recognized the contributions of MMTV Productions including Mark Dustin, Chuck Person, and Peter Gilardi, who create such great television production each season, and the end-of-season video recap capturing season highlights for each player, and a photographic essay for the seniors. They also recognized photographer Don Norris for his contributions.
Attendees who had coached in the system were also asked to stand, and about fifteen coaches received recognition. Special thanks went to Ralph Labella and Steve Kirwan. The Melrose basketball infrastructure, starting with three sixth grade travel teams and culminating in the Lady Raiders, with MMTV Productions, the Boosters Organization, and terrific community support combine to create enthusiasm and genuine love for the players in the city.
College choices were announced for the seniors who have decided...
Sharon Porcaro - UMASS
Taylor Pearson - The 'U' (Miami)
Lauren Murray - Springfield
Krysta Limone - Suffolk
Lynley DeAmato - Uncommitted
Sheylani Peddy - Uncommitted
Many of the Melrose players are playing AAU Basketball this spring, and many will also participate in the Andover Summer League.
