Melrose Lady Raiders Basketball

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.