Melrose Lady Raiders Basketball

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.