Melrose Lady Raiders Basketball

The first half of Middlesex League play has reached its conclusion with a sharp division between the first division and second division clubs.  Melrose emerges at the turn with a tie for the league lead and a 10-1 record. 


As a matter of record, the top teams have beaten each of the second division teams, and most of the games among the leaders have been very competitive. For example, Melrose lost to Stoneham by one in double overtime, beat Reading by 13, Woburn by 6, and Winchester by 12, although the latter game was a four point contest with just over two minutes left. Stoneham lost to Reading by 6, and Woburn defeated Reading by 2 in a remarkable fourth period comeback (outscoring Reading 22-3).

Stoneham has been the highest scoring team in the league, Reading the stingiest defense, and Melrose has the largest average margin of victory, reflecting its offensive and defensive balance.

Any one of the top four teams could claim the Middlesex League title, as the competitive balance at the top of the league is closer than it has been probably since the 2004-2005 season, when Melrose, Reading, Lexington, and Belmont all fielded strong teams. Woburn has been something of a dark horse in the league, having won five straight games, including their tilt with Reading.

Winchester has too far a hurdle to overcome to make a run at the title, but could act as a spoiler, with a pair of high scoring forwards in Sam Mangano and Shelby Santini.

Watertown has the capability of springing an upset occasionally as they have the most dominant player in the league Brittany Obi-Tabot. She has a Division I scholarship to Fairfield, great footwork in the paint, and suffers principally from lack of high level talent around her. I won't speculate whether she is the League MVP, which usually goes to a player on a contender, but she is the most talented player in the league.

Reading has the unquestioned 'Rookie of the Year' in freshman Olivia Healy, averaging a double double in her first season. Carlene Kluge is their most experienced player, and Kim Penney's coaching shouldn't be underestimated.

Stoneham blends both youth and experience, returning All-League guard Cassie Liston, who plays under control consistently, has a solid outside game, and clever passing skills. They complement her with a very solid surrounding cast, with a variety of underrated players from Vanessa Bramonte, to Marisa Cataldo, and Ari Sicuso. With Bramante in foul trouble, they struggled against Melrose's front line and Reading's Healy lit them up for 27 points in their first meeting, so they will work to strengthen their interior defense.

Assessing one's 'own' team becomes the most difficult task of all. Few teams do any self-scouting, and observer bias (self-attribution in psychological terms) tends to reduce the usefulness, as analysts attribute success to their own competence and problems to 'bad luck'. With that preface, Melrose hasn't fully gotten in sync, for a variety of reasons (the 'beyond' our control view).

• The volleyball run delayed the transition from volleyball season to basketball
• Volleyball left Melrose depleted because of the injury to one of its expected big contributors, Laura Irwin
• Injury to All-League forward Siena Mamayek has disrupted the continuity at both ends of the court.
  
• Game management/situational basketball continues to be a work in progress

On the very positive side, Hannah Brickley and Colleen Hanscom have done everything that could be expected of them and more. AnneMarie Wiesen has provided toughness and rebounds and is capable of doing her best work without the ball. Sophomore Lia Limone has gained valuable experience and had her moments, at York, Woburn, and late at home against Winchester.The team has run the set offense better than many previous Melrose teams, partially out of necessity. Many of Melrose's undefeated regular season teams relied on the transition game to a far greater extent.

The challenges for coach Rob Ferrante and his staff going forward:

• Get healthy.
  
• Develop a reliable and consistent rotation. Lack of consistent reserve play inevitably results in exhausted regulars, particularly in the post-season.
  
• Maintain 'fundamental' discipline. Shot selection and ball security (offensively and defensively), possession by possession, create championships.
• Incorporate continual game management with strategic fouling, use of the thirty second clock, and managing time outs both strategically and for rest of "high minutes" regulars.