Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Melrose Bedevils Burlington
After a couple of early season wins, Melrose has gone on a winning streak and traveled to Burlington to pin another defeat on the Red Devils. After a sluggish start, the Lady Raiders ultimately repeated the Belmont score with a 50-36 victory.
Melrose got off to a slow start with a 6-5 lead after the first quarter, and enjoyed a 14-6 lead with just over three minutes left in the half. Melrose led 22-12 after intermission.
A 19-9 third period sent the Devils down. With 3:17 left in the third, Melrose led 33-16 and the Lady Raiders had a commanding lead after three, 41-21.
The Lady Raiders defense continued to dial up the defensive intensity as they proceed through the second half. The effort carried through to the reserves who continued the onslaught.
Meg Kirwan had 21, Colleen Hanscom had 2, Nicki Devereaux had 2, Amanda Peters and Laura Irwin both had 2, Siena Mamayek had 13, Emily Clark had 2 points and Hannah Brickley had 4 points.
If the Globe scores are correct, Belmont also got handed an upset defeat to give them a 3rd ML loss.
Lady Raider Notes: Melrose shot an improved 13 for 17 from the charity stripe, with Siena Mamayek leading the way with 7 for 8.
The Back Row Gang "Energizer of the Game" was Siena Mamayek who battled inside against the Burlington height and Meg Kirwan continued her overall excellence.
Melrose reigned in the three point Jones tonight and everyone got an opportunity to play at least a few minutes.
Melrose faces an improving Woburn squad on Friday and can't overlook the improving Tanners.
Melrose got off to a slow start with a 6-5 lead after the first quarter, and enjoyed a 14-6 lead with just over three minutes left in the half. Melrose led 22-12 after intermission.
A 19-9 third period sent the Devils down. With 3:17 left in the third, Melrose led 33-16 and the Lady Raiders had a commanding lead after three, 41-21.
The Lady Raiders defense continued to dial up the defensive intensity as they proceed through the second half. The effort carried through to the reserves who continued the onslaught.
Meg Kirwan had 21, Colleen Hanscom had 2, Nicki Devereaux had 2, Amanda Peters and Laura Irwin both had 2, Siena Mamayek had 13, Emily Clark had 2 points and Hannah Brickley had 4 points.
If the Globe scores are correct, Belmont also got handed an upset defeat to give them a 3rd ML loss.
Lady Raider Notes: Melrose shot an improved 13 for 17 from the charity stripe, with Siena Mamayek leading the way with 7 for 8.
The Back Row Gang "Energizer of the Game" was Siena Mamayek who battled inside against the Burlington height and Meg Kirwan continued her overall excellence.
Melrose reigned in the three point Jones tonight and everyone got an opportunity to play at least a few minutes.
Melrose faces an improving Woburn squad on Friday and can't overlook the improving Tanners.
Monday, January 28, 2008
From Ventura with Love
Danny Ventura of the Herald shows Melrose some love this week with inclusion in his top 5 from Division II.
Melrose moves up based on the strength of their recent play, and the superior defensive effort against a very good Belmont team, holding the Lady Marauders to a very stingy 36 points.
Melrose exerted a total defensive effort, denying the entry pass with pressure from the top, fronting the twin posts down low, and sometimes rotating to double the bigs (Sullivan and Galvin) in the low blocks. Effort and technique, not Xs and Os gave Melrose the win.
We know the team is capable of the effort, and we'll look for them to sustain it going forward.
Melrose moves up based on the strength of their recent play, and the superior defensive effort against a very good Belmont team, holding the Lady Marauders to a very stingy 36 points.
Melrose exerted a total defensive effort, denying the entry pass with pressure from the top, fronting the twin posts down low, and sometimes rotating to double the bigs (Sullivan and Galvin) in the low blocks. Effort and technique, not Xs and Os gave Melrose the win.
We know the team is capable of the effort, and we'll look for them to sustain it going forward.
Friday, January 25, 2008
One Giant Step for Melrose
The Melrose Lady Raiders (11-1 Middlesex League) sought to avenge an early season loss to Belmont tonight at home, and did so, not with style, but old fashioned toughness, handing the Marauders (10-2 ML) their second defeat. The victory moves Melrose back into undisputed possession of first place.
Melrose struck first, as Colleen Hanscom banked in a runner going right to left. Meg Kirwan dropped in four first quarter points before getting her second foul and heading to the bench for the lion's share of the first half. She was soon followed by Hannah Brickley, who earned her second foul struggling to tie up a loose ball.
At the end of the foul plagued first quarter, Melrose led 12-11. The officiating was remarkable in its mediocrity, as the officials missed out of bounds calls, called ticky-tack fouls and let hammer time go, and generally marred the intensity. Both teams probably felt wronged by the zebras.
Belmont hung around in the first half as they worked to get the ball down into their twin towers Clare Sullivan and Molly Galvin and both had their moments. But the key player of the first half was unsung Laura Irwin who brought energy and toughness into the game, dominating on the glass and leading Melrose scoring at halftime with six points.
For the most part, Melrose handled Belmont's various presses, which appeared to be a loose man-to-man, a 2-2-1 knock off of the old UCLA press of John Wooden, and a half court trapping press off the 1-3-1.
Melrose continued to struggle in the first half at the line, going 2-6. At halftime, Melrose led 22-19, the identical score to their first match.
Melrose quickly extended the league in the early second half, with Kirwan and Brickley back from foul purgatory. Kirwan quickly made her presence known slashing to the basket, although the Lady Raiders struggled mightily beyond the arc, making only one of about a dozen treys.
However, what won the game was aggressive man-to-man full court defense, with the guards denying easy entry passes into the post, and the Melrose bigs winning the war underneath, bringing double-team help from the weak side, and stepping in to steal entry passes. Emily Clark, Irwin, Brickley and Siena Mamayek all did yeoman work under the boards.
Melrose opened up a 38-30 lead after three, aided by the home court advantage of Belmont shooting into the spacious end of the gym, which Melrose opened up for this game. Melrose frustrated Belmont by taking away the point guard penetration and allowing Belmont few easy baskets after the break.
Kirwan's slashes to the basket, some good passing from point guard Colleen Hanscom, and Hannah Brickley's offensive putbacks keyed the fourth period rally, as Melrose extended the lead to high double figures down the stretch. Belmont was still in the game down 42-32 with 3:42 left.
Kirwan finished with eighteen including fourteen in the second half, Brickley added ten and double figures rebounding, Hanscom and Irwin both had seven, and Mamayek and Clark both had four points.
Melrose improved from the line in the second half, shooting 11 for 13 from the line to finish 13 for 18, a dramatic improvement from 4 for 11 in the earlier contest.
Melrose won the game on the defensive end, with pressure from the outside and toughness on the inside as the Melrose bigs won the battle with Belmont's bigger front line. Melrose achieved the 'keys' of reducing turnovers, battling the bigs down low, and making more free throws.
Back Row Gang "Energizer of the Game" went to Laura Irwin.
Score by Periods
Melrose 12 10 16 12 50
Belmont 11 8 11 06 36
Melrose struck first, as Colleen Hanscom banked in a runner going right to left. Meg Kirwan dropped in four first quarter points before getting her second foul and heading to the bench for the lion's share of the first half. She was soon followed by Hannah Brickley, who earned her second foul struggling to tie up a loose ball.
At the end of the foul plagued first quarter, Melrose led 12-11. The officiating was remarkable in its mediocrity, as the officials missed out of bounds calls, called ticky-tack fouls and let hammer time go, and generally marred the intensity. Both teams probably felt wronged by the zebras.
Belmont hung around in the first half as they worked to get the ball down into their twin towers Clare Sullivan and Molly Galvin and both had their moments. But the key player of the first half was unsung Laura Irwin who brought energy and toughness into the game, dominating on the glass and leading Melrose scoring at halftime with six points.
For the most part, Melrose handled Belmont's various presses, which appeared to be a loose man-to-man, a 2-2-1 knock off of the old UCLA press of John Wooden, and a half court trapping press off the 1-3-1.
Melrose continued to struggle in the first half at the line, going 2-6. At halftime, Melrose led 22-19, the identical score to their first match.
Melrose quickly extended the league in the early second half, with Kirwan and Brickley back from foul purgatory. Kirwan quickly made her presence known slashing to the basket, although the Lady Raiders struggled mightily beyond the arc, making only one of about a dozen treys.
However, what won the game was aggressive man-to-man full court defense, with the guards denying easy entry passes into the post, and the Melrose bigs winning the war underneath, bringing double-team help from the weak side, and stepping in to steal entry passes. Emily Clark, Irwin, Brickley and Siena Mamayek all did yeoman work under the boards.
Melrose opened up a 38-30 lead after three, aided by the home court advantage of Belmont shooting into the spacious end of the gym, which Melrose opened up for this game. Melrose frustrated Belmont by taking away the point guard penetration and allowing Belmont few easy baskets after the break.
Kirwan's slashes to the basket, some good passing from point guard Colleen Hanscom, and Hannah Brickley's offensive putbacks keyed the fourth period rally, as Melrose extended the lead to high double figures down the stretch. Belmont was still in the game down 42-32 with 3:42 left.
Kirwan finished with eighteen including fourteen in the second half, Brickley added ten and double figures rebounding, Hanscom and Irwin both had seven, and Mamayek and Clark both had four points.
Melrose improved from the line in the second half, shooting 11 for 13 from the line to finish 13 for 18, a dramatic improvement from 4 for 11 in the earlier contest.
Melrose won the game on the defensive end, with pressure from the outside and toughness on the inside as the Melrose bigs won the battle with Belmont's bigger front line. Melrose achieved the 'keys' of reducing turnovers, battling the bigs down low, and making more free throws.
Back Row Gang "Energizer of the Game" went to Laura Irwin.
Score by Periods
Melrose 12 10 16 12 50
Belmont 11 8 11 06 36
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Friday Preview: Lady Raiders Host Belmont
In the biggest regular season game for the Lady Raiders in years, Melrose hosts Middlesex League co-leader Belmont (10-1) at the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School at 5:30 P.M. Melrose looks to avenge an early season loss at Belmont in trying to get sole possession of first place as it seeks to win its 9th consecutive ML league girls' basketball title.
Belmont brings superior height with consistent scoring from Sophomore Clare Sullivan as well as Meg Zolner and Molly Galvin. Belmont comes off a good win Tuesday against Lexington as coach Paula Christofori's Lady Marauders seek to break through.
Melrose brings talent and tradition to the Middle School Gym, riding an eight game ML win streak and planning to bring its basketball DNA to bear. The Lady Raiders play a predominantly half-court man-to-man defense and complement transition basketball with a variety of motion offense schemes.
Senior Meg Kirwan leads the Lady Raiders in scoring, amply assisted by forward Hannah Brickley, having a breakout season. Senior co-captain Emily Clark brings rebounding and interior defense, and Sophomore Siena Mamayek has shown consistent all-around performance at the four. Soph Colleen Hanscom and Nicki Devereaux divide time at the point.
Keys to the game for the Lady Raiders:
Belmont brings superior height with consistent scoring from Sophomore Clare Sullivan as well as Meg Zolner and Molly Galvin. Belmont comes off a good win Tuesday against Lexington as coach Paula Christofori's Lady Marauders seek to break through.
Melrose brings talent and tradition to the Middle School Gym, riding an eight game ML win streak and planning to bring its basketball DNA to bear. The Lady Raiders play a predominantly half-court man-to-man defense and complement transition basketball with a variety of motion offense schemes.
Senior Meg Kirwan leads the Lady Raiders in scoring, amply assisted by forward Hannah Brickley, having a breakout season. Senior co-captain Emily Clark brings rebounding and interior defense, and Sophomore Siena Mamayek has shown consistent all-around performance at the four. Soph Colleen Hanscom and Nicki Devereaux divide time at the point.
Keys to the game for the Lady Raiders:
- Contain Belmont's big front line underneath...blocking out will be critical.
- "The ball is gold." Melrose will need to bring their best ball security to the fore, minimizing turnovers.
- Good defensive technique to avoid foul trouble .
- Conversion at the free throw line. Melrose has shot better from the stripe recently, and free throw percentage is pivotal in close games. As one coach says, "dogs that chase cars and teams that can't shoot free throws don't last long."
Monday, January 21, 2008
Win Today, Showdown Friday Awaits
The Melrose Lady Raiders hosted an improving Watertown squad today, en route to moving to 10-1 in the Middlesex League with a 61-49 victory at the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School Gymnasium.
Watertown sophomore Brittany Obi-Talbot has given the visitors an inside presence and hope for their future. But for today, Melrose controlled the present led by Meg Kirwan's 14 first half points of her 19.
Melrose led 16-14 after the first frame, and 30-19 at the half, before exploding to a 54-30 lead after three periods behind 24 third period points.
Everyone played, and Watertown crept back in with a 19-7 fourth period advantage against the Lady Raiders.
Melrose improved their free throw shooting today, going 17 for 25 at the stripe, including 12 for 15 from the starters.
Scoring Summary:
Kirwan 19
Hanscom 11
Irwin 2
Mamayek 6
Clark 6
Brickley 8
Meuse 6
Caffey 1
Wiesen 1
McGrail 1
Lady Raider Notes: "The ball is gold." Melrose continues to seek the ideal combination to generate offense without excessive turnovers, which has plagued the team in the early season. Melrose handled the Watertown press without undue concern today.
Belmont's Lady Marauders also check in 10-1 in the Middlesex League after posting a 54-50 victory today. In what promises to be the biggest game of the local hoop season to date, Melrose hosts co-leader Belmont Friday at 5:30 in the MVMMS Gym. Belmont is long and talented and defeated Melrose at the Linoleum Palace early in the season. The Lady Raiders will need to bring their 'A' game as they shoot for their 9th consecutive ML title, and a big home crowd can only help.
Watertown sophomore Brittany Obi-Talbot has given the visitors an inside presence and hope for their future. But for today, Melrose controlled the present led by Meg Kirwan's 14 first half points of her 19.
Melrose led 16-14 after the first frame, and 30-19 at the half, before exploding to a 54-30 lead after three periods behind 24 third period points.
Everyone played, and Watertown crept back in with a 19-7 fourth period advantage against the Lady Raiders.
Melrose improved their free throw shooting today, going 17 for 25 at the stripe, including 12 for 15 from the starters.
Scoring Summary:
Kirwan 19
Hanscom 11
Irwin 2
Mamayek 6
Clark 6
Brickley 8
Meuse 6
Caffey 1
Wiesen 1
McGrail 1
Lady Raider Notes: "The ball is gold." Melrose continues to seek the ideal combination to generate offense without excessive turnovers, which has plagued the team in the early season. Melrose handled the Watertown press without undue concern today.
Belmont's Lady Marauders also check in 10-1 in the Middlesex League after posting a 54-50 victory today. In what promises to be the biggest game of the local hoop season to date, Melrose hosts co-leader Belmont Friday at 5:30 in the MVMMS Gym. Belmont is long and talented and defeated Melrose at the Linoleum Palace early in the season. The Lady Raiders will need to bring their 'A' game as they shoot for their 9th consecutive ML title, and a big home crowd can only help.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Lady Raiders Stay Tied for Top in ML
Melrose (10-2, 9-1 ML) traveled to Lexington for a rematch with one of the ML Big Four and came away with a 49-43 victory.
Lexington generally tries to control the tempo with zone defense and a half-court offense, with strategic time outs to keep the game close. And Lexington did just that, leading 15-11 after one quarter and 25-20 at the half.
Both team's aggressive defense created sloppiness and turnovers, and after three quarters Lexington held a narrow 36-34 lead. But tonight's hero, sophomore Hannah Brickley (also an All-State volleyball selection), came through with 17 of Melrose's 29 second half points, many on intermediate range jump shots.
Meg Kirwin provided her usual offense, adding 10 points, Siena Mamayek had 9, Colleen Hanscom 5, Nicki Devereaux 3, Emily Clark 2, and Annmarie Wiesen a point. Laura Irwin's absense was felt on the boards as she was unavailable because of illness.
Lady Raider Notes: Melrose remains tied for the top spot with the Belmont Lady Marauders who handily defeated Stoneham 60-37. Next week will offer a big challenge and opportunity for Belmont, which hosts Lexington on Martin Luther King day, then travels to Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School Friday for a long-awaited rematch with Melrose.
Tom Hellen has Melrose back in the top 20 in his latest top 25. Click through to the News Page and go to Tom's current poll. Tom has followed area girls' basketball for years and knows as much about area hoop as anyone.
Lexington generally tries to control the tempo with zone defense and a half-court offense, with strategic time outs to keep the game close. And Lexington did just that, leading 15-11 after one quarter and 25-20 at the half.
Both team's aggressive defense created sloppiness and turnovers, and after three quarters Lexington held a narrow 36-34 lead. But tonight's hero, sophomore Hannah Brickley (also an All-State volleyball selection), came through with 17 of Melrose's 29 second half points, many on intermediate range jump shots.
Meg Kirwin provided her usual offense, adding 10 points, Siena Mamayek had 9, Colleen Hanscom 5, Nicki Devereaux 3, Emily Clark 2, and Annmarie Wiesen a point. Laura Irwin's absense was felt on the boards as she was unavailable because of illness.
Lady Raider Notes: Melrose remains tied for the top spot with the Belmont Lady Marauders who handily defeated Stoneham 60-37. Next week will offer a big challenge and opportunity for Belmont, which hosts Lexington on Martin Luther King day, then travels to Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School Friday for a long-awaited rematch with Melrose.
Tom Hellen has Melrose back in the top 20 in his latest top 25. Click through to the News Page and go to Tom's current poll. Tom has followed area girls' basketball for years and knows as much about area hoop as anyone.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
First Turn Done, League Record 8-1
Melrose returned to the friendly confines of the Middle School Gym and handed Wakefield a 63-40 loss, to move to 8-2, 8-1 in the Middlesex League, in a first place tie with Belmont.
Melrose got off to a sluggish start, trailing 14-13 after one, despite some slashing drives to the basket by high scorer Meg Kirwan (17). Emily Clark (16) also netted a career high, cleaning up inside against smaller Wakefield as Melrose took a 35-22 first half lead with 10 Clark points.
The second half turned into a rout, as Wakefield self-destructed with ballhandling and passing errors, despite a good effort from point guard Rachel Kaye. Despite mixing up man-to-man and a 1-2-2 zone, Wakefield couldn't control the Melrose offense.
Scoring Summary:
Kirwan 17
Hanscom 4
Devereux 4
Irwin 6
Mamayek 7
Clark 16
Meuse 7
Peters 2
Lady Raider Notes: Melrose shot 16 for 24 from the stripe, and Nicole Meuse tallied the lone hit from international waters. Colleen Hanscom had several terrific passes to a slashing Kirwan.
Melrose faces one of the best teams in the league at Lexington Friday, as Lexington seeks revenge for a narrow defeat in the season opener. The Middlesex League has the most balance at the top in years, with Melrose, Belmont, Lexington, and Reading all fighting it out for the top spot. Stoneham is somewhere in the middle, and Burlington and the Killer W's (Wakefield, Watertown, Winchester, and Woburn) struggle.
Melrose fell out of the Boston Globe top 20 for the first time in years, although the rankings lack much credibility. Peabody (8-1) whipped by Winnacunnet, who beat the Lady Raiders by one, is in the top ten, and Belmont, fresh off a defeat by Reading, whom Melrose beat recently, remains in the top 20.
Melrose got off to a sluggish start, trailing 14-13 after one, despite some slashing drives to the basket by high scorer Meg Kirwan (17). Emily Clark (16) also netted a career high, cleaning up inside against smaller Wakefield as Melrose took a 35-22 first half lead with 10 Clark points.
The second half turned into a rout, as Wakefield self-destructed with ballhandling and passing errors, despite a good effort from point guard Rachel Kaye. Despite mixing up man-to-man and a 1-2-2 zone, Wakefield couldn't control the Melrose offense.
Scoring Summary:
Kirwan 17
Hanscom 4
Devereux 4
Irwin 6
Mamayek 7
Clark 16
Meuse 7
Peters 2
Lady Raider Notes: Melrose shot 16 for 24 from the stripe, and Nicole Meuse tallied the lone hit from international waters. Colleen Hanscom had several terrific passes to a slashing Kirwan.
Melrose faces one of the best teams in the league at Lexington Friday, as Lexington seeks revenge for a narrow defeat in the season opener. The Middlesex League has the most balance at the top in years, with Melrose, Belmont, Lexington, and Reading all fighting it out for the top spot. Stoneham is somewhere in the middle, and Burlington and the Killer W's (Wakefield, Watertown, Winchester, and Woburn) struggle.
Melrose fell out of the Boston Globe top 20 for the first time in years, although the rankings lack much credibility. Peabody (8-1) whipped by Winnacunnet, who beat the Lady Raiders by one, is in the top ten, and Belmont, fresh off a defeat by Reading, whom Melrose beat recently, remains in the top 20.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Melrose Keeps Sachems Struggling 65-33
Melrose (8-2, 7-1 Middlesex League) defeated Winchester 65-33 at Winchester tonight.
Melrose is completing the first turn of the Middlesex League schedule and has 7 of its 10 final ML games at home. Meanwhile, Reading defeated Belmont moving the Lady Raiders into a first place tie for ML supremacy.
Melrose got off to a quick start with a 19-10 first period lead and 37-16 halftime edge. Meg Kirwan continued her scoring with 23 points for the game slashing to the basket.
Melrose came out with even more intensity in the second half, fashioning a 18-3 third period edge, and everyone got into the game tonight.
Scoring Summary:
Megan Kirwan 23
Colleen Hanscom 14
Laura Irwin 6
Siena Mamayek 6
Emily Clark 4
Hannah Brickley 6
Nicole Meuse 4
Rachel Caffey 2
Lady Raider Notes: Melrose hosts Wakefield Tuesday at the Middle School Gymnasium. Wakefield is a dangerous team with experience, although they haven't played their best basketball yet this season.
Melrose shot 6-12 from the free throw line tonight.
Lady Raider alum Shey Peddy leads the Wright State Raiders in scoring with 14.9 points a game, and adds 3 assists and nearly 4 rebounds and 3 steals per game for the Horizon League entry.
Melrose is completing the first turn of the Middlesex League schedule and has 7 of its 10 final ML games at home. Meanwhile, Reading defeated Belmont moving the Lady Raiders into a first place tie for ML supremacy.
Melrose got off to a quick start with a 19-10 first period lead and 37-16 halftime edge. Meg Kirwan continued her scoring with 23 points for the game slashing to the basket.
Melrose came out with even more intensity in the second half, fashioning a 18-3 third period edge, and everyone got into the game tonight.
Scoring Summary:
Megan Kirwan 23
Colleen Hanscom 14
Laura Irwin 6
Siena Mamayek 6
Emily Clark 4
Hannah Brickley 6
Nicole Meuse 4
Rachel Caffey 2
Lady Raider Notes: Melrose hosts Wakefield Tuesday at the Middle School Gymnasium. Wakefield is a dangerous team with experience, although they haven't played their best basketball yet this season.
Melrose shot 6-12 from the free throw line tonight.
Lady Raider alum Shey Peddy leads the Wright State Raiders in scoring with 14.9 points a game, and adds 3 assists and nearly 4 rebounds and 3 steals per game for the Horizon League entry.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Another Road Win for Melrose
Melrose (7-2) traveled to Stoneham and emerged with a 53-46 hard fought win.
The Lady Raiders got off to a quick 14-4 start, but Stoneham battled back to make it competitive.
Melrose led 14-8 after the first period, and 24-24 at half.
The second half showed more of the same, with Stoneham containing Melrose's transition game, with the score 39-35 after three and hanging around to within a point in the final three minutes.
Colleen Hanscom made a key steal with a pair of free throws in the last 55 seconds to ice the game. Meg Kirwan had another strong offensive game and Siena Mamayek had her season high with 14 points.
Scoring Summary:
Kirwan 17
Hanscom 6
Devereaux 2
Mamayek 14
Clark 6
Brickley 8
Lady Raider Notes: Melrose remains second in the ML, a game behind Belmont, which is undefeated. Lexington handed Reading its second consecutive defeat. Melrose shot 9 for 14 from the charity stripe, and in a rarity, had no shots fall from beyond the arc.
Thanks to the Back Row Gang for the highlight summary.
The Lady Raiders got off to a quick 14-4 start, but Stoneham battled back to make it competitive.
Melrose led 14-8 after the first period, and 24-24 at half.
The second half showed more of the same, with Stoneham containing Melrose's transition game, with the score 39-35 after three and hanging around to within a point in the final three minutes.
Colleen Hanscom made a key steal with a pair of free throws in the last 55 seconds to ice the game. Meg Kirwan had another strong offensive game and Siena Mamayek had her season high with 14 points.
Scoring Summary:
Kirwan 17
Hanscom 6
Devereaux 2
Mamayek 14
Clark 6
Brickley 8
Lady Raider Notes: Melrose remains second in the ML, a game behind Belmont, which is undefeated. Lexington handed Reading its second consecutive defeat. Melrose shot 9 for 14 from the charity stripe, and in a rarity, had no shots fall from beyond the arc.
Thanks to the Back Row Gang for the highlight summary.
Friday, January 04, 2008
Rockets Can't Break Melrose Jinx
Melrose (6-2, 5-1 Middlesex League) overcame foul trouble and an early Reading lead to beat the previously undefeated Rockets 53-48 at Reading Field House.
Melrose came in with a 19 game winning streak over the Rockets and their classy Coach Kim Penney and rumors have it that Reading expected to celebrate the end of the Melrose Jinx tonight.
Melrose took the early first period lead 13-11, but Reading came back to lead at halftime 23-19, amassing as much as an eight point lead (according to the crack Back Row Gang reporting team).
Meg Kirwan got into early foul trouble and had to sit most of the second period, leading to Melrose scuffling on offense.
The third period saw Melrose go back on top 34-33, keyed by Kirwan scoring and yeoman rebounding work from Emily Clark (career game) and Laura Irwin.
Melrose held the lead through the fourth period, although Reading closed to within the last 90 seconds, with Colleen Hanscom hitting a cutting Kirwan for a key basket, and then icing the game with a pair of late free throws. Kirwan led Melrose scoring with 20, Hannah Brickley added 12, Clark 10, Hanscom had 6, Siena Mamayek 3, and Laura Irwin a pair.
Lady Raider Notes: Melrose fell out of the Top 25 this week in Tom Hellen's poll here. Click through to the News Page for details. Tom is a very knowledgeable and affable local hoop guru who sees the top teams, most of the top players, and his commentary adds a lot to the local hoop scene. Reading clocked in at #17 and Belmont at #24 after their early season wins against Lexington and Melrose.
Full scores for the Middlesex League are available here.
*Summary courtesy of the Back Row Gang.
Melrose came in with a 19 game winning streak over the Rockets and their classy Coach Kim Penney and rumors have it that Reading expected to celebrate the end of the Melrose Jinx tonight.
Melrose took the early first period lead 13-11, but Reading came back to lead at halftime 23-19, amassing as much as an eight point lead (according to the crack Back Row Gang reporting team).
Meg Kirwan got into early foul trouble and had to sit most of the second period, leading to Melrose scuffling on offense.
The third period saw Melrose go back on top 34-33, keyed by Kirwan scoring and yeoman rebounding work from Emily Clark (career game) and Laura Irwin.
Melrose held the lead through the fourth period, although Reading closed to within the last 90 seconds, with Colleen Hanscom hitting a cutting Kirwan for a key basket, and then icing the game with a pair of late free throws. Kirwan led Melrose scoring with 20, Hannah Brickley added 12, Clark 10, Hanscom had 6, Siena Mamayek 3, and Laura Irwin a pair.
Lady Raider Notes: Melrose fell out of the Top 25 this week in Tom Hellen's poll here. Click through to the News Page for details. Tom is a very knowledgeable and affable local hoop guru who sees the top teams, most of the top players, and his commentary adds a lot to the local hoop scene. Reading clocked in at #17 and Belmont at #24 after their early season wins against Lexington and Melrose.
Full scores for the Middlesex League are available here.
*Summary courtesy of the Back Row Gang.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Lady Raiders Tame Tanners 61-37
Melrose resumed its Middlesex League season with a 61-37 victory on its extended road trip, handily beating Woburn 61-37.
Melrose recovered smartly from the Peabody Tanner Tournament, with the victory taking the Lady Raiders to 5-2, in preparation for yet another Armageddon Friday night at 7 P.M. at Reading High School.
Melrose got off to a quick start with 17-8 and 33-19 leads by halftime. Melrose improved their turnover production and converted more free throws, clocking in at 10-14 for the night.
The second half brought a blowout, with a 19-5 third period advantage yielding a 52-24 lead, setting the stage for a fourth period allowing more playing time distribution.
Hannah Brickley and Meg Kirwan tied for scoring honors at 14 apiece with Colleen Hanscom adding 7, Laura Irwin 5, Siena Mamayek 4 along a gaggle of rebounds, Emily Clark 6, Nicole Meuse 4, Annmarie Weisen 2, and Amanda Peters 5.
Melrose recovered smartly from the Peabody Tanner Tournament, with the victory taking the Lady Raiders to 5-2, in preparation for yet another Armageddon Friday night at 7 P.M. at Reading High School.
Melrose got off to a quick start with 17-8 and 33-19 leads by halftime. Melrose improved their turnover production and converted more free throws, clocking in at 10-14 for the night.
The second half brought a blowout, with a 19-5 third period advantage yielding a 52-24 lead, setting the stage for a fourth period allowing more playing time distribution.
Hannah Brickley and Meg Kirwan tied for scoring honors at 14 apiece with Colleen Hanscom adding 7, Laura Irwin 5, Siena Mamayek 4 along a gaggle of rebounds, Emily Clark 6, Nicole Meuse 4, Annmarie Weisen 2, and Amanda Peters 5.
