Melrose Lady Raiders Basketball

Shey Peddy completed her inaugural season at Wright State University, leading the Raiders to the Horizon League tournament championship game. Unfortunately, Cleveland State had a better inside game and ball security, ousting the Raiders 70-56, as the Vikings get an automatic berth to the NCAA Women's Tournament.

But Shey showed the spectacular play we so often saw at Melrose, equaling her career high with 31 points, including an electrifying 21 point second half, to lead all scorers.

Today's game was broadcast on ESPNU, available on the Verizon network. The broadcasters featured Shey on the 'Starwatch' pregame segment and highlighted her spectacular play during the game.

Averaging 16 points a game this season, Shey scored 73 points (24.3 ppg) during the Horizon League tournament. In the semis against University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Shey had 16 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists (many spectacular), and 3 steals.

Alum Shey Peddy received special honors from the Horizon League.

• Newcomer of the Year
• First Team All-League
• All-Defensive Team

Congratulations to Shey and good luck in the Horizon League post-season tournament as Wright State looks to get into the big dance, the NCAA Tournament.

*Kudos to Dick Collis on the find.

Over 500 Melrose hoop enthusiasts and local philanthropists turned out for the first annual Alumni Game, featuring players from Melrose's past versus the present team. The game was a spirited affair, with the high school defeating the alumnae 84-74.

The principal beneficiary of this year's contest was Keir Stanford, who is recovering from serious medical illness sustained while she was a college softball player. Chuck Person, Melrose's Recreation Department director and Tara Stanford, Keir's sister, organized the event.

Frank and Linda Stanford were on hand and clearly touched by both the show of support and emotion.

Four officials volunteered their time to referee the game, and the Melrose police also made a voluntary contribution.

Many local residents participated via donations of items for raffle, including Red Sox and Celtics tickets, and other valuable prizes.

The winner of the 50-50 raffle also generously donated back her proceeds to the Stanford fund.

Many former Lady Raider standouts were among the 21 alumnae playing, including former Gatorade Player of the Year Shannon Kirwan, Oyin Aderibigbe, Lady Raider assistant coach Lauren Doherty, Andrea Basteri, Lynley D'Amato, and many more. Former Coach Dave Brady coached the Alumnae squad and coach Rob Ferrante oversaw the varsity.

It was an extraordinary success for charity, and many memorable moments for the Lady Raiders past and present and their fans.

The Boston Herald summarizes the Melrose-Reading quarterfinal game.

Another terrific basketball campaign for the Melrose Lady Raiders, whom the Reading Rockets defeated 65-54 in the MIAA D2 North quarterfinals at Melrose. Reading uses 'feline' power to win, with a flurry of threes from "Cat" Carey and a strong effort from the lion's den (Jaclyn Lyons) to capture victory.

Reading advances to play the winner of AC at Westford in the D2 North Semifinals.

The Melrose senior class has a lot of accomplishments to remember.

• Four ML championships, extending the record to nine. They accomplished this in a more competitive league, with a group of three other strong teams at the top this season (Lexington, Reading, Belmont) and up-and-comers Watertown and Stoneham
• Three trips to the Tsongas Arena including a D2 North title and one trip to the Garden to the EMASS finals.
• 84 wins against just nine losses during the four year period.
• Individual honors, including a league MVP for co-captain Meg Kirwan and All-League honors for the other co-captain Emily Clark. We look forward to following their future.
  
• A great example of sportsmanship and competitive effort for future generations of Lady Raiders.
  

The season provided more excitement for fans with the opening of the new gymnasium, and the opportunity to watch a team filled with young players mature and look ahead to future success.

• Hannah Brickley added All-League honors to her already impressive athletic resume which already included All-State and All-Scholastic honors in volleyball. Eleven post-season appearances in just two years (basketball, volleyball) mark her career as extraordinary, along with the other Lady Raider volleyball-basketball scholar-athletes.
  
• Siena Mamayek achieved All-Star status in her second year starting up front.
• Colleen Hanscom grew in the pivotal role of point guard.
• Laura Irwin added energy, toughness, rebounding, and defense
  
• Nicki Devereaux gained valuable experience at both the one and the two which will help her going into her senior year.
• Nicole Meuse also got extended minutes in the backcourt which should augur well for future teams.
  
• The remainder of the team showed heart and hustle when they got opportunities and provide a nucleus for future success.

Congratulations to Reading on their victory, bringing the Middlesex League to 7 wins thus far, with Lexington (D1), Reading (D2), and Watertown (D3) still in the hunt.

The community salutes the success, competitiveness, and year-round efforts of this team to be the best they can be, and looks ahead to more success in the classroom and on the court in the future.