Melrose Lady Raiders Basketball

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.