Saturday, February 27, 2010
Survive and Advance, Melrose 69-66
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.
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.
// posted by Ron Sen, MD, FCCP @ 10:20 PM 
