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.
