Saturday, March 06, 2010
The Real Deal
"Tradition never graduates." Or at least that's what the girls say.
And Melrose Girls' Basketball, Version2010 proved it today, led by the nine seniors who cooked up a convincing 67-54 victory over outgunned Arlington Catholic at sunny Emmanuel College. Yes, Matilda, the game was delayed over half an hour for sun...indoors.
Melrose emerged from the regular season as Tri-Champs from the Middlesex League, a season interrupted by intermittent illness and injury, having lost Laura Irwin for most of the first half of the season, Siena Mamayek for the middle, and half the team playing sick during some key games down the stretch. But a healthy and hungry team has survived and advanced, playing their best ball of the campaign.
Melrose went out to an early 14-5 lead and controlled the game until a flurry of fouls knocked Melrose seniors Hannah Brickley, Laura Irwin, and Siena Mamayek to the bench with three fouls apiece. But as Colleen Hanscom continued her dominant, breakout play in the playoffs (15 points, 8 assists), Melrose went into the locker room with a 35-34 lead.
Melrose's balance gradually wore down AC, living off the play of Cara Palladino and Lindsey Roche, who produced most of the Cougar offense. Melrose's scoring diversity (15 for Siena, 11 for Hannah, and 8 off the bench for Amanda Peters) simply proved too much for the representative from the Catholic Central League. But the unsung hero for Melrose was the Windex Woman herself, Laura Irwin, who cleaned the glass for thirteen rebounds. As the younger players tire of hearing, "defense and rebounding determine the winners, offense decides the margin of victory."
Melrose goes on to the EMASS finals (to be announced), against the winner of favored Oliver Ames and Fontbonne. Ironically, both of these teams have previously vanquished Melrose (2006, 2003), so either way, the Lady Raiders get a rematch...and the seniors get another game.
Lady Raider Notes: Melrose fans filled their section at Emmanuel college. Former Athletic Director and Massachusetts Basketball Hall of Fame Coach Sonny Lane gave the girls a motivation speech the other day. Coach Rob Ferrante gets to pack his first Division II North Championship into his trophy room. Many of the girls captured the combination of D2 North volleyball and basketball championships, also achieved by Melrose in 2006.
Photos from the Wilmington game from the Boston Globe.
And Melrose Girls' Basketball, Version2010 proved it today, led by the nine seniors who cooked up a convincing 67-54 victory over outgunned Arlington Catholic at sunny Emmanuel College. Yes, Matilda, the game was delayed over half an hour for sun...indoors.
Melrose emerged from the regular season as Tri-Champs from the Middlesex League, a season interrupted by intermittent illness and injury, having lost Laura Irwin for most of the first half of the season, Siena Mamayek for the middle, and half the team playing sick during some key games down the stretch. But a healthy and hungry team has survived and advanced, playing their best ball of the campaign.
Melrose went out to an early 14-5 lead and controlled the game until a flurry of fouls knocked Melrose seniors Hannah Brickley, Laura Irwin, and Siena Mamayek to the bench with three fouls apiece. But as Colleen Hanscom continued her dominant, breakout play in the playoffs (15 points, 8 assists), Melrose went into the locker room with a 35-34 lead.
Melrose's balance gradually wore down AC, living off the play of Cara Palladino and Lindsey Roche, who produced most of the Cougar offense. Melrose's scoring diversity (15 for Siena, 11 for Hannah, and 8 off the bench for Amanda Peters) simply proved too much for the representative from the Catholic Central League. But the unsung hero for Melrose was the Windex Woman herself, Laura Irwin, who cleaned the glass for thirteen rebounds. As the younger players tire of hearing, "defense and rebounding determine the winners, offense decides the margin of victory."
Melrose goes on to the EMASS finals (to be announced), against the winner of favored Oliver Ames and Fontbonne. Ironically, both of these teams have previously vanquished Melrose (2006, 2003), so either way, the Lady Raiders get a rematch...and the seniors get another game.
Lady Raider Notes: Melrose fans filled their section at Emmanuel college. Former Athletic Director and Massachusetts Basketball Hall of Fame Coach Sonny Lane gave the girls a motivation speech the other day. Coach Rob Ferrante gets to pack his first Division II North Championship into his trophy room. Many of the girls captured the combination of D2 North volleyball and basketball championships, also achieved by Melrose in 2006.
Photos from the Wilmington game from the Boston Globe.
// posted by Ron Sen, MD, FCCP @ 2:22 PM 
