Melrose Lady Raiders Basketball

Quotes from Wicked Local. 

Box scores from Lowell Sun.

Brief recap from Lowell Sun.

Several recent Lady Raiders have enjoyed productive seasons in college basketball.

Meg Kirwan, former Middlesex League MVP averages 3.6 ppg and is third in steals for the UMASS-Lowell (16-10) Riverhawks.

Emily Clark, also from the 2008 Melrose team averaged 8.4 ppg for Framingham State and led the team in blocked shots.

Lynley DeAmato, returning to basketball after a two year absence, finished second in scoring for UMASS-Dartmouth with 11 ppg, led the team in steals, and was second in assists.

Shey Peddy, Melrose's All-time leading scorer, sat out this season after transferring to Temple from Wright State.

Melrose earned a measure of redemption in the post-season with a very hard-fought 69-66 quarterfinal round victory over inspired Tewksbury from the Merrimack Valley League.

Melrose came in with nine seniors looking for a return to the Division 2 North championship round, last visited in 2007. A second round loss in 2008, and last year's first round loss to Lincoln-Sudbury (now Division I) didn't dampen Melrose's confidence. But Tewksbury came out with guns blazing, with the brightest shooter Danielle Depierro, who lit up the Middle School Gymnasium with forty-two points.

Melrose got early support from Colleen Hanscom with some aggressive drives to the basket and a pair of treys, and Lia Limone (7) also had early points, but Melrose trailed 20-18 after one, with Tewksbury averaging over a point per possession. North Carolina's Dean Smith pioneered the points per possession tracking, with goals of .85 points/possession offensively and 0.75 points/possession defensively.

The struggle continued through the second period with some good offensive output from Siena Mamayek, while the Tewksbury point guard Depierro pounded in 21 first half points, while Melrose was led by Hanscom's dozen at intermission, with the score knotted at 36.

The third period saw Melrose open up the advantage, extending the lead to seven, behind a brilliant period from Brickley with twelve, many on long bombs from Colleen.

But Tewksbury wouldn't go away, abetted by a flurry of free throws as they were in the bonus early and often  with the third official added for the playoffs. The Lady Redmen narrowed to within 1 point late, before a series of good possessions kept Melrose ahead. Colleen made a runner to extend the lead to 3, and Laura Irwin and Siena subsequently had a big pair of hoops to preserve the lead. But it was Depierro and more Depierro, nailing a long three to bring the margin back to three, only to narrowly miss another three in and out, allowing Melrose to win, despite a couple of late misses on chances to ice the game with one and ones.

Hannah Brickley finished with 25 points, Colleen added 19 along with a bushel of assists, and Siena had 9 points. The game had plenty of excitement, with solid team play from Melrose and a record-setting output from the Tewksbury point guard.

Melrose advances to face Wilmington with the date and place to be determined.

From a college coach.

Hannah Brickley plays in her eighth post-season tournament season as a Lady Raider. A few others (volleyball-basketball) have had the same opportunity.

Quarterfinal action begins Saturday at the Middle School Gymnasium. Expect a big crowd, with the end zone stands in place.

Tewksbury will be playing with extra motivation.

As we head into the playoffs, let us remember some simple truths.

With six days to go before the Lady Raiders post-season kickoff, they're getting plenty of respect in the rankings.

Beantown Hoops lists Melrose at the thirteen spot.


Latest Maxpreps ratings.

Melrose won the top seed in D2 North via a coin flip with Reading.

Today Melrose hosted Lowell, with great quickness and a three-point shooting bent. The scrimmage proved useful for both teams as Melrose maintained sharpness at both ends and everyone got plenty of action. Colleen Hanscom and Hannah Brickley looked particularly sharp, and Laura Irwin looks to be at full speed going into the playoffs after her volleyball season injury.

The MIAA completed its seedings today, apparently with some struggles, but here is the schedule.
Melrose's opening game will be next Saturday night at the Middle School Gym versus the winner of Dracut and Tewksbury. It would be entirely NOT surprising to see Middlesex League teams in three of the four semifinal spots, with Melrose, Reading, and Winchester among the top five seeds.

Melrose seeks a return to the D2 North finals for the first time since 2007 and to capture their first D2 North championship since 2006.

The long layoff from the conclusion of the regular season offers the team a chance to heal their bumps and bruises. Melrose hosts Lowell for a scrimmage Saturday the 20th at 10:00.

A plethora of hoop pundits with their rankings.

This week means school vacation, with the team helping out with the Youth Clinic on Tuesday and Wednesday, and a scrimmage against Lowell later in the week.

Melrose likely has a coin flip for the number one seed in the Division 2 North bracket.

• Melrose split with Reading and Winchester
• Danvers has been on a roll lately, including a win over tough Swampscott
• Reading beat AC by two
• Reading beat Gloucester by one
• As currently listed, three teams would get byes, and the bottom ten would play for the 4-8 spots in the quarterfinals
• Melrose would then play either a 1-8 or 2-7 game...a home game versus either the Tewksbury-Gloucester or North Andover-Brighton winner...if these standings are correct. 

Highlights filmed and produced by Jeff Mate'

What's not to like about All-Star games? The Middlesex League held theirs today at Stoneham, hosted by Stoneham High School and Middlesex League Basketball Commissioner Mike Lahiff.

The Watertown A.D. didn't have any league championship trophies to hand out, as this year Melrose, Reading, and Stoneham will each take one home. Actually, somebody did get a trophy, as Belmont's Jenna DiSalvio won the three-point shooting contest with eight. Melrose's Amanda Peters (if I counted correctly) finished in a tie for second place.

As for the All-Star game itself, it had one limitation, that Reading was playing Gloucester today, so nobody from Reading could participate.

I like All-Star games for many reasons.

• It's a 'feel good' event where lots of players get recognized.
• The players get to meet and interact with other players.
• There's not a lot of defense; ergo, there's plenty of scoring.
• The best players get to put on a show, especially with less defense.
• Players play very unselfishly which usually improves the quality of play.
• The fans root for everyone and don't worry about the officiating

The community has shown a great outpouring of support for the Melrose Lady Raiders girls basketball program. The combination of hard work leading to successful scholar-athletes makes an attractive combination for the creation of community role models.

But a big part of the Melrose basketball tradition is winning. Including this season's tri-championship, the girls have won the Middlesex League title 10 of the past 11 years, and had a remarkable run of trips to the Division 2 North championship from 2003-2007, going four times in five years and winning three times in the decade.

Danny Ventura gives Melrose some props today in The Boston Herald.


Teams achieve lasting legacies by winning, and winning comes through the discipline to play "possession by possession" basketball, sacrificing individual achievement for the good of the team. Ironically, that self-sacrifice returns recognition because of the end result. A great pass, a loose ball captured, or a successful block out early in the game can make the difference.

The great Vince Lombardi is remembered for turning the Green Bay Packers into a dynasty where "winning isn't everything; it is the only thing." His players achieved success on the field and later off the field in business. John Wooden's UCLA Bruins earned basketball immortality winning 10 national championships in 12 seasons from 1964-1976.

As seniors, you own your destiny.

In a season replete with 'what ifs' and 'could have beens', Melrose shares the Middlesex League title at 15-3, coupling a 67-43 win at Wakefield, with a Stoneham 51-34 mauling of Reading.

Melrose parlayed 24 points from Hannah Brickley and stout second half defense to claim their share.

But tonight Stoneham kicked it up a notch at home, before a sellout crowd in a very physical game. The thrill of victory (standing Stoneham fans) stands in high relief against the somber Reading crowd.

It was Senior Night in Stoneham, and the Athletic Director recognized the seniors.

Both teams came out hard, with Reading starting both of its frosh, Olivia Healy and Morgan O'Brien and the nerves showed early, as Reading shot poorly and Stoneham missed a bushel of layups en route to a 9-5 lead. Appropriately enough, Senior Cassie Liston sparked the Spartan offense, with her steady ball-handling and experience, often taking the Reading youngsters to school. Stoneham center Vanessa Bramante dominated the period on the glass but struggled to find the blue sky around the hoop.

But the difference maker on the night was Senior Marisa Cataldo, whose ball-hawking defense stymied Reading's point, Deshanti Perera, and prevented the Rockets from getting into their offense. Cataldo's relentless pressure denied Perera from allowing Carlene Kluge and Olivia Healy from getting the ball in their sweet spots in the paint, limiting the damage. Cataldo's effort of on the ball was a film clinic of end-to-end pressure, the best individual defense I've seen in the Middlesex League in several years.

Reading struck back in quarter two, with some screens off the ball, and trailed 18-14 at the break.

In the third quarter, it was more Liston and Cataldo, and Stoneham's defense keyed a 12-3 outbreak yielding a 30-17 third period lead. Reading tried to get into a pressure mode, but Stoneham's Liston and  Arianna Tuccelli controlled the ball with a minimum of turnovers, and Ariana Sicuso provided some key offense.

The final stanza simply turned into a slug fest, as the officials, already calling the worst game I've seen this season, allowed the bodies to fly around before trying to get the game under control and leading into a free throw shooting contest. Down the stretch, Tuccelli drained a number of one and ones to keep Reading from sniffing a comeback or closing nearer than eight points. Stoneham also showed poise with reasonable game management allowing them to shorten the game.

Lady Raider Notes: Within the sellout crowd, the Back Row boys had their quorum and Coach Storm, Tom Hellen shared his thoughts on EMASS basketball as well.

Practice like a champion.

The Lady Raiders complete the regular season tomorrow night at Wakefield.

The Reading-Stoneham (7 PM Friday) tilt gives Stoneham a chance to create a three-way tie for the Middlesex League title. In their previous matchup, Stoneham couldn't contain Reading's freshman Olivia Healy (27 points) and they'll need to go back to the drawing board on that one. Stoneham has the quickness at point guard (Marisa Cataldo) to contain Reading's PG Deshanti Perera, and at shooting guard, Stoneham has the edge with Cassie Liston who also has versatile playmaking skills. Reading has the edge up front with Carlene Kluge and Healy, and Stoneham will need big efforts from Vanessa Bramante, and some outside scoring from Ariana Sicuso. The Stoneham gym should rock with a packed house, even a few interested bystanders from Melrose.

Although the season isn't over, I'm willing to speculate on the All-League team (top 10 players), based on my observations. Production, injury, and illness all contribute. I certainly don't think a top player should be punished if they play on a weak team.

C  Britanny Obi-Tabot, Sr. Watertown leads the league in scoring (20.8), scholarship to D1 Fairfield
C  Vanessa Bramante, Jr. Stoneham
F  Hannah Brickley, Sr. Melrose
F  Carlene Kluge, Jr. Reading
F  Sam Mangano, Jr. Winchester
F  Shelby Santini, Jr. Winchester
F  Olivia Healy, Fr. Reading
G  Colleen Hanscom, Sr. Melrose
G  Cassie Liston, Sr. Stoneham
G  Callie Murphy, Sr. Woburn

Coach of the Year: Angela Billings, Stoneham - Billings has rebuilt a program in just two seasons that has a chance to claim a share of the ML title. She doesn't have a superstar player, but a collection of solid players who pass very well, that has already beaten both Melrose and Reading.

Bottom from left: Ashley Cunningham, Amanda Peters, Nicole Muise, Teagan Bell, Hannah Brickley, Colleen Hanscom, Annemarie Wiesen, Laura Irwin, Siena Mamayek
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The full collection appears at Photos by Haley...great shots!

Senior Night saw the upperclassmen hang a 63-34 victory on the mantle.Twelve Lady Raiders scored and point guard Colleen Hanscom threw a half dozen terrific passes in one of her best efforts of the season.

As is traditional, Coach Ferrante thanked the seniors and their parents for their hard work and the Lady Raiders also presented a flower to their senior counterparts from Lexington.

Melrose's generosity stopped there, as Melrose sped to a 14-0 lead and 20-4 first period edge. The locals used a combination of transition offense and stingy defense to overwhelm the visitors. Laura Irwin had a big first quarter with six points en route to a career-tying high of sixteen.

By halftime, Melrose had blasted to a 36-11 halftime edge, with eight seniors scoring. Amanda Peters had a pair of threes in the period.

The second half saw a more tranquil flow, but Melrose got a lot of time for both senior reserves and underclassmen who will constitute next season's club.

Laura Irwin led with sixteen, Hannah Brickley added nine, and in the waning moments Brooke Bell had four points and Alyssa DiRaffaele showed rebounding toughness off the bench.

Lady Raider Notes: The Middlesex League title is up for grabs Friday as Stoneham hosts Reading. A Stoneham victory and Melrose victory creates a three way tie with all teams finishing at 15-3.

Senior Night affords fans, the coaching staff, and teammates an opportunity to recognize the graduating class for their contributions to the success of Melrose basketball. What the young ladies accomplish occurs through many hours of hard work not only during the season, but especially in the offseason, where physical training, sport-specific training, and game development allow the team and the players to maximize their chance to succeed.

At the youth level, we work to develop players who understand the core principles of the game, to develop an independent framework from which they can respond both automatically and creatively to take ownership of what happens in every situation on the court. That development has translated into consistent success. For many players, basketball has continued to play a significant role in their postgraduate experiences, both as players and coaches.

Senior Night also affords the Senior parents to receive credit for the sacrifices that they have made to help their children develop as scholar athletes. Many of the Melrose players have been high achievers off the court as well, and their parents deserve equal recognition.

The festivities also include recognition of the visiting seniors, who likewise have made an enduring commitment to their school and their sport.

Congratulations again to the seniors for their achievements. Please come to support the players as we wrap up the regular season at 5:30 Tuesday at the Middle School Gym against Lexington.

The Lady Raiders have clearly focused more on possessions...why it can make a difference.

Many years ago, a team had lost a bitterly contested game to a league rival that they had not beaten for years. Both the coaching staff and the players experienced a frustration they had not suffered before, because the coach knew they were the better team and the players had not met THEIR expectations. The coach locked the team in the spartan team room, and they spent the better part of the next hour venting every concern great and small they had. Both left the locker room with a resolve that they would not lose again to a team that had won the state championship three years running. The team went on to win thirteen games in a row before losing in the state semifinals, defeating Lexington twice along the way, both in their gym and in the Boston Garden.

Basketball is life. Basketball teaches discipline and sacrifice, the discipline to develop individual skills and willingly sacrifice what is best for the player to what is best for the team. "There is no glory in defense, just victory," is how one coach puts it.



As the team approaches the post-season, it has opportunities to prepare for the special challenges ahead, with the goal of getting to Emmanuel College for the Division 2 North championship.

1. Play with joy. Live the moment.
2. Put forth a "winning effort" every day, maximum concentration and focus.
3. Do more of what is working and less of what is not, the essence of success.
4. Be positive. A positive attitude can produce the best outcome. 
5. Prepare. "Failing to prepare is preparing to fail."
6. Nothing great is accomplished without enthusiasm.

Lady Raider Notes: Melrose hosts Lexington Tuesday for Senior Night, recognizing the contributions of the Class of 2010. This team has a roster deep in senior talent.

• Teagan Bell
• Hannah Brickley
• Ashley Cunningham
• Colleen Hanscom
• Laura Irwin
• Siena Mamayek
• Nicole Muise
• Amanda Peters
• Annemarie Wiesen

Come support them and celebrate. The clock ticks down on their careers. Leave nothing on the floor.

Melrose traveled to Winchester to play the 12-5 Sachems, and Winchester scored eight points late to achieve a come from behind victory, 41-38. Melrose (15-3) falls to 13-3 in the Middlesex and drops back into a second place tie with Stoneham.

Melrose held the lead 10-8 after one, but trailed 20-18 at the half, despite holding Winchester's big gun, Sam Mangano in check.

The offensive misery continued in the second half, as Melrose connected on only one three pointer all night, and generally struggled from outside all night. After three, the Lady Raiders trailed 28-27, and the loud Winchester crowd sensed something special.

Melrose went into a zone in the fourth period, and got some inside hoops from Hannah Brickley and Laura Irwin to take a five point lead late. But a Sachem uprising and solid defense spelled doom for the locals.

Hannah led Melrose with 9 points, with Laura Irwin and Annemarie Wiesen each scoring 8 points. Christine Casey (15), Shelby Santini (18), and Mangano (8) did all the scoring for Winchester.

Melrose closes out the regular season next week, hosting Lexington and closing at Wakefield.

The Boston Globe with its take on the Melrose victory yesterday.

The Lady Raiders face Winchester tomorrow at Winchester. The Sachems were within four points in the last three minutes when they played at Melrose earlier this season. They have one of the best scorers in the league in Sam Mangano, a smooth forward with length and a shooter's touch, and Shelby Santini a valuable complementary player. In the last game, Melrose won the game in the backcourt, forcing many turnovers.

Melrose cannot afford a letdown against a talented team that has been trying for years to break through and that defeated Stoneham recently. Winchester is riding a four game winning streak and comes in at 12-5.

Melrose faced a 'must' win at home, and stared down the challenge, stopping Stoneham late to remain in a first place tie with Reading, 51-46.

The game had all the action you could want, with ferocious defense holding Melrose scoreless for the first 4:15. Melrose broke through with free throws, but trailed by seven at one point in the first, before closing to within three.

The second period showed more tight action, with Stoneham stoning Hannah Brickley, and holding the All-League forward to a single point in the half. Fortunately, Colleen Hanscom responded with 9 first half points, and Lia Limone added 5. Amanda Peters was the unsung hero of the game, with 5 points in two minutes in the quarter, and tight defense on Stoneham star Cassie Liston. Melrose trailed 24-22 at the half, as the Lady Raiders struggled on the defensive boards.

Melrose play-by-play announcer Ralph Labella predicted a huge second half for Hannah, and she delivered, inside and outside, as well as playing Liston tight at the defensive end. With Stoneham shooting at the open end ("Bermuda triangle") the second half, their offense cooled, scoring many of their points off Melrose's ineffective 1-3-1 trap. Finally, Melrose abandoned the trap in favor of tight man-to-man defense, and the advantage swung to Melrose.

The Lady Raiders went away from the motion offenses in favor of the "two-man game", running the high-low offense to Hannah and another unsung hero, Siena Mamayek, returning from injury, with six points, including four big ones late. Siena also made the defensive play of the game late, with Melrose leading by three. She deflected an entry pass to Bramante, and came up with the steal, before being fouled. After missing the front end of a one-and-one, Colleen Hanscom stole the outlet pass, and converted a pair to ice the game with eight seconds left.

Colleen finished with 18 points and Hannah 17, including 16 in the second half.

Lady Raider notes: The Middle School Gymnasium saw an enormous crowd with the stands filled and the sellout  overflow seated on the floor. Much of the Reading team came to watch (and root for Stoneham) after their game. The victory raised Melrose's record to 15-2 and 13-2 in the Middlesex League. Melrose has a tough road contest Friday at Winchester, where a maximal effort will be needed to remain tied with Reading for first.

Melrose (12-2 Middlesex League) hosts Stoneham (12-2) in a contest that will help decide the next ML champion.

Stoneham defeated Melrose 58-57 in double overtime in their first meeting.

Melrose will look to rebound from Monday's tough loss at Reading (12-2) as they seek to gain momentum headed into the playoffs.

The Lady Raiders should have Siena Mamayek improving as she recovers from injury, and expect a high energy effort from the team tonight. When we look back through the polished prism of time at this season, tonight's game will shape that vision.

The keys for the game for Melrose tonight:

• Play within themselves
• Technique -  block out to control the boards
• Keep Cassie Liston out of the lane
• Take advantage of strengths - half court offense
• Avoid yielding easy baskets in transition or with 'extended' defense

Melrose traveled to the Hawkes Field House to face a determined Reading squad, and coach Kim Penney's team exacted revenge for an early season loss to the Lady Raiders, outscoring Melrose 23-13 in the second half to win 49-40.

Melrose flashed to a quick 8-0 lead behind five quick points from Lia Limone and a trey from Hannah Brickley, but Reading stormed back behind a great all around effort from point guard Deshanthi Perera, and their talented freshman duo of Olivia Healy and Morgan O'Brien who combined for 22 points.

Melrose led 12-9 after one and 27-26 at the half, but the team weakened in the face of illness sweeping through the club. Hannah Brickley and Colleen Hanscom each had nine points at the half, and Melrose was 5 for 6 from the line.

The lead seesawed through the first half of the third stanza, before Reading took control with some misdirection offense off a double pick, freeing up Carlene Kluge who finished with 10 points. Reading carried a 39-35 advantage into the fourth period.

As Melrose fatigued, Reading grew tougher on the boards, with Kluge, Healy, and O'Brien pounding the boards, taking advantage of a loosely officiated contest. Reading gradually pulled away, extending the lead into double digits before a late Brickley bucket closed the scoring.

Hannah led Melrose with 18 points, and Colleen and Lia added 9 apiece.

Lady Raider Notes: The Reading victory, coupled with Stoneham's win throws the Middlesex League race into a three-way tie. All three teams share 12-2 league records, with Melrose hosting Stoneham Wednesday at 7 P.M. Stoneham will host Reading in the final game of the regular season.