Monday, February 04, 2008
Titletown Preview
The Lady Raiders have won the past eight Middlesex League championships. Tomorrow night, the 2007-2008 version gets the opportunity to host Reading at the Middle School Gym for a chance to put a stranglehold on the 2008 league title race. Melrose holds a slim one game lead on the Rockets who beat Belmont but lost to Melrose during the first circuit through the league.
Last night the Patriots came to play, but the Giants came to win. Melrose will have to bring a giant-sized effort to beat the Rockets on a roll, and seeking retribution for a decade of disappointment. Point guard Jackie Lyons mans the controls for the Rockets. Lyons follows in the footsteps of Mary Silvia and sister Justine Lyons as recent Reading stars grounded by Melrose.
Coach Rob Ferrante continues the tradition of tight man-to-man defense and transition offense, while Reading's Kim Penney has generally pursued a similar philosophy.
Melrose hopes to get back to full strength, looking for Laura Irwin to return and bring energy on both ends of the court and toughness on the glass. Meg Kirwan is second in the ML in scoring behind Lyons, ably assisted by Colleen Hanscom, Nicki Devereaux, and Nicole Meuse in the backcourt. Along with Irwin, Emily Clark, and sophomores Siena Mamayek and Hannah Brickley carry the load up front.
Melrose, based on impressive defensive efforts against Belmont and Woburn moves up to thirteen in the Boston Globe poll. Local hoop guru Tom Hellen clocks Melrose in at 14 and Reading at 24 in his weekly poll at the News Page at CoachStorm5.com.
Lady Raider Notes: Alum Sheylani Peddy has put up incredible numbers at Horizon League member Wright State. The freshman is 24th in Division I in field goal percentage at 55.9% and has moved up to 14th in the nation in steals at 3.3/game.
Last night the Patriots came to play, but the Giants came to win. Melrose will have to bring a giant-sized effort to beat the Rockets on a roll, and seeking retribution for a decade of disappointment. Point guard Jackie Lyons mans the controls for the Rockets. Lyons follows in the footsteps of Mary Silvia and sister Justine Lyons as recent Reading stars grounded by Melrose.
Coach Rob Ferrante continues the tradition of tight man-to-man defense and transition offense, while Reading's Kim Penney has generally pursued a similar philosophy.
Melrose hopes to get back to full strength, looking for Laura Irwin to return and bring energy on both ends of the court and toughness on the glass. Meg Kirwan is second in the ML in scoring behind Lyons, ably assisted by Colleen Hanscom, Nicki Devereaux, and Nicole Meuse in the backcourt. Along with Irwin, Emily Clark, and sophomores Siena Mamayek and Hannah Brickley carry the load up front.
Melrose, based on impressive defensive efforts against Belmont and Woburn moves up to thirteen in the Boston Globe poll. Local hoop guru Tom Hellen clocks Melrose in at 14 and Reading at 24 in his weekly poll at the News Page at CoachStorm5.com.
Lady Raider Notes: Alum Sheylani Peddy has put up incredible numbers at Horizon League member Wright State. The freshman is 24th in Division I in field goal percentage at 55.9% and has moved up to 14th in the nation in steals at 3.3/game.
// posted by Ron Sen, MD, FCCP @ 9:24 PM 
