Melrose Lady Raiders Basketball

Click photos to ENLARGE. Photos courtesy of Don Norris. Most statistics courtesy of Dick Collis.

Melrose enjoyed a rare weekend home game, a makeup of a snow postponement, handily defeating Belmont 57-34 to go 3-0 on the season. One of Belmont's best players, Clare Sullivan, transferred to a private school this season and the Marauders showed the effects.

The Lady Raiders debuted their new home whites, which the girls report are very comfortable.

Melrose got off to a quick 10-0 lead in the first four minutes, with their motion offense the trigger, and Nicky Devereaux with six first quarter points. Colleen Hanscom had several early assists (four in the first half) and the team avoided the turnover bug.

Melrose led 17-7 after a quarter and 32-13 at the half, a team effort with seven players scoring.

It was more of the same in the second half, with more balanced scoring as Belmont never made it closer than 15 points.

Colleen Hanscom had six assists on clever passing, and Hannah Brickley added 15 points to Siena Mamayek's strong 14 points and eight from Nicky Devereaux. Reducing the number of turnovers was another key.

Melrose struggled from the free throw line, hitting only 3 of 9, and also (unofficially) shot only 2 of 16 from beyond the arc, but the inside game carried the Lady Raiders to victory in the home opener.

Left to right: Amanda Peters, Annemarie Wiesen, Nicole Meuse, Ashley Cunningham, Teagan Bell, and ballgirls Brooke Bell and Shannon Lahiff.
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L to R...Ashley, Annemarie, Colleen, Amanda, and Siena.
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Siena goes up for two while Hannah (5) and Annemarie look on.
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Amanda drains a trey.
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Nicky drives to the hoop.
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Ashley goes up for two.
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Basketball is not a contact sport; it's a collision sport. Ashley knows that.
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L to R. Colleen, Siena, Nicole, Nicky, and Hannah sport the new Lady Raider threads.
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Amanda Peters is a three-point threat for Melrose.
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Hannah has opponents seeing double, or maybe triple.
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Nicky and Colleen apply pressure outside.
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Siena continues to do yeoman work underneath.
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Hannah switched from 25 to 5 this season, but the results are the same.
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Colleen's playmaking is pivotal to the Lady Raiders' success.

Lady Raider Notes: Melrose faces a huge week with the Tanner City Basketball Tournament Monday and Tuesday at Peabody. Melrose will join Peabody, a strong Bishop Fenwick team, and a New Hampshire power, Winnacunnet in the event. Winnacunnet defeated Melrose in the finals last season.

Holiday Special: Shey Peddy's dad Terrance was in the house tonight, presenting Wright State tee shirts to the Back Row Boys. A number of opposing coaching staff members were also present scouting.

Whaaatt? During the JV game and early in the varsity girls game, water spots on the court needed drying. Let's hope the problem is resolved ASAP for the players' comfort and safety.