Sunday, July 19, 2009
The Importance of Being Frank(lin Pierce)
Melrose completed a successful tournament at Franklin Pierce today. Although they didn't win the tourney as they had the past three seasons, the team reached the finals and lost a squeaker to Lebanon, NH, by a point in a valuable learning experience.
The Lady Raiders will travel to Maine for the York Holiday Tournament this season for their non-league games.
My sources tell me that three girls' teams are set, including York, Melrose, and Marshwood. I heard that Winnacunnet, the three-peating New Hampshire champion, was unable to participate. York had a strong team last season and returns the core of their team. Melrose had a 23.6 rating on the MaxPreps scale.
Melrose returns four-fifths of its starters, and could have four players with All-League potential. Stoneham and rebuilding Reading figure to be among the Middlesex League leaders, Winchester has some scorers, and Watertown returns Division I prospect Brittany Obi-Tabot in the post.
The Lady Raiders will travel to Maine for the York Holiday Tournament this season for their non-league games.
My sources tell me that three girls' teams are set, including York, Melrose, and Marshwood. I heard that Winnacunnet, the three-peating New Hampshire champion, was unable to participate. York had a strong team last season and returns the core of their team. Melrose had a 23.6 rating on the MaxPreps scale.Melrose returns four-fifths of its starters, and could have four players with All-League potential. Stoneham and rebuilding Reading figure to be among the Middlesex League leaders, Winchester has some scorers, and Watertown returns Division I prospect Brittany Obi-Tabot in the post.
Summer Update
The players continue to work assiduously to improve both individually and as a team. This weekend saw (depending on player availability) the team travel to Franklin Pierce for a tournament against teams from around New England. The Franklin Pierce womens' hoop team has been to the Division II National Championships two of the past three seasons.
In addition to the competition, team building activities included an overnight in the Franklin Pierce dormitories, as well as time at a water park and pizza party.
Coach Ralph Labella emphasized the importance of teamwork in addition to building both offensive and defensive skills within the team concept. The summer program receives the oversight of the Melrose Recreation Department.
The summer youth girls basketball development program continues on Sunday evenings at the Common (4:30), with fifth graders, some sixth graders, and occasionally older players participating. The program serves as an introduction for young players and a refresher for more experienced players. The goal is developing proficiency in basic skills and creating the framework for team success at high school basketball. The program is completely voluntary and the summer program carries no costs.
An outline of tonight's practice follows.
I. Warm up and stretching
II. Dribbling drills...stationary and ball advancement
III. Passing
A. Basic
B. Advanced
C. Drills
IV. Moving without the Ball
A. Fundamentals
B. Coming off picks
V. Putting it all together (2 on 1)
VI.Shooting fundamentals
A. Handout
B. Warming up
C. Where's the BEEF?
VII.Defense
A. Philosophy
B. See both
C. Defending the cut
D. Introduction to post defense
Throughout the summer we will work on more advanced topics such as basic and advanced offensive skills (wing play, low post play), rebounding techniques, and team offense development and hold tryouts for travel basketball.
References:
Coaching techniques from legendary coach Pete Newell
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Not Exactly "new"...
Melrose goes with four basketball captains this coming season, Hannah Brickley, Colleen Hanscom, Laura Irwin, and Siena Mamayek.
Melrose has two teams entered in the Billerica Summer League, one with mostly JV players and another with incoming frosh.
The final Middlesex League All-League teams were posted in the Watertown paper.
Many local young ladies play on competitive AAU teams as they prepare for the forthcoming season.
Melrose has two teams entered in the Billerica Summer League, one with mostly JV players and another with incoming frosh.
The final Middlesex League All-League teams were posted in the Watertown paper.
Many local young ladies play on competitive AAU teams as they prepare for the forthcoming season.
