Tuesday, March 09, 2010
OA Tigers with Plenty in Their Tank, 60-46
Melrose had a wonderful post-season run, but Oliver Ames came up big when they had to, defeating the Lady Raiders (20-4) 60-46 at the TD Banknorth Garden. Melrose's third trip to the Garden and EMASS finals in the past eight years came up short.
Melrose got off to a fine start led by Colleen Hanscom (7 first period, 13 total points) and Hannah Brickley (4), opening up a 15-7 lead with less than thirty seconds to go in the first period. But Melrose couldn't hold for one shot, and a late OA hoop near the buzzer triggered a second period explosion including 13 consecutive points, from which Melrose struggled to recover.
Amanda Peters came off the bench to hit the first of her pair of treys to tie the game at 20, but OA, led by All-State forward Bentley-bound Lauren Battista closed strong with a 27-22 halftime advantage.
The Lady Raiders battled back to bring Melrose to within a pair at 32-30, but the brilliant defense of Nicole Bostic on Colleen Hanscom took Melrose out of its offense, and the Tigers led by nine after three.
Melrose couldn't find its rhythm, closing to within eight on a pair of Hannah Brickley (14) baskets, but the OAers were simply too big, too fast, and too good, nailing their free throws down the stretch to achieve the final margin of victory.
Game analysis: Melrose had prospered in the post-season because of terrific team play, with outstanding guard play from Colleen Hanscom and Lia Limone, and terrific interior passing. OA's interior defense, led by 6' 2" Tessa Dern and Battista simply denied Melrose very many easy baskets. During the key stretches early in the second period and late in the third, the OA turned up the defensive pressure and took control.
Melrose had a wonderful season including a tie for the Middlesex League title, the Division 2 North Championship, and 20 victories. Not too shabby.
Melrose got off to a fine start led by Colleen Hanscom (7 first period, 13 total points) and Hannah Brickley (4), opening up a 15-7 lead with less than thirty seconds to go in the first period. But Melrose couldn't hold for one shot, and a late OA hoop near the buzzer triggered a second period explosion including 13 consecutive points, from which Melrose struggled to recover.
Amanda Peters came off the bench to hit the first of her pair of treys to tie the game at 20, but OA, led by All-State forward Bentley-bound Lauren Battista closed strong with a 27-22 halftime advantage.
The Lady Raiders battled back to bring Melrose to within a pair at 32-30, but the brilliant defense of Nicole Bostic on Colleen Hanscom took Melrose out of its offense, and the Tigers led by nine after three.
Melrose couldn't find its rhythm, closing to within eight on a pair of Hannah Brickley (14) baskets, but the OAers were simply too big, too fast, and too good, nailing their free throws down the stretch to achieve the final margin of victory.
Game analysis: Melrose had prospered in the post-season because of terrific team play, with outstanding guard play from Colleen Hanscom and Lia Limone, and terrific interior passing. OA's interior defense, led by 6' 2" Tessa Dern and Battista simply denied Melrose very many easy baskets. During the key stretches early in the second period and late in the third, the OA turned up the defensive pressure and took control.
Melrose had a wonderful season including a tie for the Middlesex League title, the Division 2 North Championship, and 20 victories. Not too shabby.
// posted by Ron Sen, MD, FCCP @ 9:36 PM 
