Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tennyson
"That which we are, we are, and if we are to be any better, now is the time to begin." - Tennyson
Every team has to fight through adversity - inconsistency, injuries, ineffectiveness. The issues for coaches become identifying where the opportunities to improve exist and how to get the maximum production from the team.
Teams with good process ultimately have the most success, playing the game possession by possession, focused on winning one possession at a time.
Offensively, that translates into getting the best shot possible, through good ball and player movement yet minimizing turnovers. The girls certainly have the ability to achieve this improvement and consistency.
Defensively, at times the team has done a very good job, but a few breakdowns in transition defense and in defensive rebounding have proven disruptive. This shouldn't come as any great surprise with relative inexperience, but can be corrected.
What can we control on the basketball court? Realistically, we can only control our effort and concentration during the game, and preparation before the games. With a week without games, the coaches and players will be working to shake up the mix and get the best results possible.
Every team has to fight through adversity - inconsistency, injuries, ineffectiveness. The issues for coaches become identifying where the opportunities to improve exist and how to get the maximum production from the team.
Teams with good process ultimately have the most success, playing the game possession by possession, focused on winning one possession at a time.
Offensively, that translates into getting the best shot possible, through good ball and player movement yet minimizing turnovers. The girls certainly have the ability to achieve this improvement and consistency.
Defensively, at times the team has done a very good job, but a few breakdowns in transition defense and in defensive rebounding have proven disruptive. This shouldn't come as any great surprise with relative inexperience, but can be corrected.
What can we control on the basketball court? Realistically, we can only control our effort and concentration during the game, and preparation before the games. With a week without games, the coaches and players will be working to shake up the mix and get the best results possible.
Monday, December 27, 2010
The Secret
If there's any secret to life, it's just this, 'you have to do more of what's working and less of what isn't.'
The "little things" mean a lot in basketball, and the players and coaches will find a way to do three things that will turn it around.
- Stop transition baskets. That happens by making life harder on the offensive boards, by harassing the outlet pass, and by sprinting back on defense to prevent "numbers".
- Limit second chances. The possession is not over until the defensive rebound is obtained and secured. Defensive rebounding isn't all about size, but position (including blocking out) and desire. This group has shown the ability to do that in the past.
- Create separation from tight man-to-man defense. Think Princeton, as in the Princeton Tigers offense under Pete Carril, whose players excelled at 1) back door cuts and 2) screens away from the ball. These two elements are the keys to getting open shots against pressure.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Advancing the Women's Game
Easier Said than Done
Here's a link to an article from the Melrose Girls Basketball blog, from our youth program. It's called "So You Want to Be a Basketball Coach?"
It just doesn't come that easily.
Drawing Board
Losing has always been as big a part of basketball as winning. Losses can occur for many reasons, illness and injury, bad shooting day, talent imbalances, size and athleticism differences, coaching, officiating and so on. And no Melrose team during the past eleven years completed an entire season undefeated.
I'm fond of the saying, "defense and rebounding win games; offense determines the margin." So with 20 percent of the season complete, can we analyze where the wheels have come off the wagon?
Melrose 43 Belmont 32
Melrose 39 Burlington 30
Melrose 31 Woburn 47
Melrose 18 Reading 60
Offense:
Melrose has always scored a significant number of points in transition off steals and solid man-to-man defense. During the past three games, they have struggled to get much going with the fast break. Unless any team is a great shooting team, they must score by getting easier shots, which is accomplished by better passing. Getting off to a good start helps teams develop confidence, and during the past three games, the Lady Raiders have scored 13, 13, and 10 points in the first half. "Confidence breeds success; success breeds confidence."
Many Melrose teams have had players with strong inside games with 'go to' or signature moves. We discussed before the season that absent those types of players, the half court offense could struggle. Some teams have scouted the Melrose offense to the point where they are successfully overplaying it, and good offense adjusts to pressure defense using 1) back door cuts and 2) screens away from the ball.
Can Melrose create more offense in transition and capitalize on opponents' over aggressiveness to the base offense?
You can't score without shots; the more good shots the better. Melrose hasn't been able to get into the lane regularly, and has to reduce the number of turnovers.
The keys to getting transition baskets start with maximizing defensive rebounding and getting the outlet pass. The key to stopping it involves winning the battles on the boards and getting back on defense.
Defense:
Great individual defense starts with preventing 'separation'. Successful team defense similarly involves limiting open shots and mismatches, often created through 1) screens, 2) ball movement, and 3) player movement without the ball. Last night Reading had at least ten uncontested layups in transition. Part of the credit for that goes to Reading, and part of the responsibility lies with Melrose's team defense for an inability to get back defensively.
Even with the problems encountered in transition, Reading had a huge advantage in rebounding, at the intersection of size, strength, and aggressiveness. Coaches have little control over size, and weight training has become an integral part of women's sports. Effective offensive rebounding simply creates an overwhelming number of possessions and because offensive efficiency (points per possession) is usually limited in high school basketball, maximizing the number of possessions can be critical.
Situational Basketball:
In close games, teams have to execute 'specialty plays' (for example inbounds plays), make a high percentage of free throws, and use the clock well (with four periods, each end of period offers a potential six point swing). Getting a good shot at the right time adds up.
Coaching: Coach Rob Ferrante earned Division II Coach of the Year honors last season for shepherding an experienced (nine seniors graduated) team to a Division II North title. The coaches see practice and make the best personnel, style of play choices, and decision-making based on what they see. "Experience is the best teacher, but sometimes the tuition is high."
Community Support:
Melrose fans have always shown great appreciation for the quality, effort, and success that the basketball team has displayed. The players and coaching staff have a chance to turn the season around by continuing to work hard, and concentrating on the areas (transition defense, rebounding, limiting turnovers and decision-making) that need improvement. With eighty percent of the schedule remaining, the team has its destiny on its shoulders. The coaches and players have a lot of opportunity to determine their identity.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
New Sheriff in Town, Reading 60-18
Melrose went into Reading the underdog, and Reading avenged old frustrations, giving the Hawkes' Field House crowd a 60-18 victory.
The contest was literally never in doubt, as Reading took an 11-0 lead in the first four minutes and led 21-3 after one period.
Reading controlled the game 33-10 at the intermission, with their own share of missed shots and turnovers preventing them from leading by forty. They played solid defense and dominated the glass at both ends, as Melrose couldn't find an answer. Kayla Wyland's four points led Melrose at the half.
The Lady Rockets extended the lead to 49-14 in the third, and took their remaining starters out with a 54-14 lead in the final frame. Alyssa DiRaffaele led Melrose with five points.
Reading scored mostly on putbacks and transition baskets, as their superior size and strength simply overwhelmed Melrose from the outset.
What's a team to do? Coach Rob Ferrante will work to help the girls create better opportunities offensively, demand blocking out on the defensive boards, and look to reduce the inordinate amount of turnovers that plagued the team tonight.
Not much went right for the Lady Raiders tonight. They'll have the Holiday vacation to try to develop solutions as they examine where to tighten up the ship.
The contest was literally never in doubt, as Reading took an 11-0 lead in the first four minutes and led 21-3 after one period.
Reading controlled the game 33-10 at the intermission, with their own share of missed shots and turnovers preventing them from leading by forty. They played solid defense and dominated the glass at both ends, as Melrose couldn't find an answer. Kayla Wyland's four points led Melrose at the half.
The Lady Rockets extended the lead to 49-14 in the third, and took their remaining starters out with a 54-14 lead in the final frame. Alyssa DiRaffaele led Melrose with five points.
Reading scored mostly on putbacks and transition baskets, as their superior size and strength simply overwhelmed Melrose from the outset.
What's a team to do? Coach Rob Ferrante will work to help the girls create better opportunities offensively, demand blocking out on the defensive boards, and look to reduce the inordinate amount of turnovers that plagued the team tonight.
Not much went right for the Lady Raiders tonight. They'll have the Holiday vacation to try to develop solutions as they examine where to tighten up the ship.
Reading Tonight
Melrose travels to Reading tonight, where the Rockets have effected a change in the balance of power in the Middlesex League in the past few seasons. At one point, Melrose ruled the rivalry, winning 18 in a row. But last year Melrose split, and Reading is the heavy favorite tonight.
Meanwhile, former Lady Raider Shey Peddy eclipsed the college career 1000 point mark for Temple this week in a loss, as she had her first double double (14 points and 12 rebounds, with 7 assists).
Melrose will need a big effort tonight to rebound in ML action.
Meanwhile, former Lady Raider Shey Peddy eclipsed the college career 1000 point mark for Temple this week in a loss, as she had her first double double (14 points and 12 rebounds, with 7 assists).
Melrose will need a big effort tonight to rebound in ML action.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Woburn Humbles Melrose, 47-31
James Naismith reminded players that "basketball is an easy game to learn and a difficult one to master." And that was the story tonight at the Middle School Gymnasium where Woburn (3-0) handed Melrose (2-1) on of its biggest margins of defeat 47-31 since Fontbonne defeated Melrose 44-22 at Boston Garden in 2003 and Winnecunett handled Melrose during the Peabody Tanner tournament in 2008.
First, I've experienced far worse defeats personally, like a 90-45 thumping at the hands of State Champion Lexington in 1972. Getting embarrassed never feels good, and obviously, 38 years later, the memory lingers. But like the phoenix rising from the ashes, crisis turns into opportunity. Defeat can serve two masters as it can serve as motivation for future success.
Woburn came in as one of the Middlesex League favorites, while Melrose did not, and the Lady Tanners fulfilled part of their destiny tonight, coming out strong with a 13-8 lead after one period, and taking a comfortable 28-13 lead into intermission.
Before the game, we opined that Melrose would have to control both boards, take care of the ball by limiting turnovers, and make free throws as Woburn is aggressive and can be foul prone. Melrose bigs Jenny McGee and Alyssa DiRaffaele both got in early foul trouble, Melrose turned the ball over repeatedly, and the team shot 5-18 from the free throw line. Pretty much nothing went right for Melrose tonight.
By the end of the third period Woburn had widened its margin to 42-22, and Woburn slowed the game down, using the shot clock and not fast breaking in the final period as Coach Steve Sullivan clearly understood that his team controlled the action throughout.
Lady Raider Notes: A number of former Lady Raiders were spotted in the crowd, including Siena Mamayek, Ashley Cunningham, and AnneMarie Wiesen.
Melrose struggled offensively, as for consecutive games they put up just 13 points in the first 16 minutes of action.
Three Lady Raiders shared the scoring lead tonight, with Lia Limone, Alyssa DiRaffaele, and Shannon Lahiff each putting up five points. Ashley Baldwin had a pair of back door cuts for layups on passes from point guard Brooke Bell.
Melrose travels to Reading Thursday for a 7 o'clock matchup against the Rockets, whom some have touted as favorites in Division 2 this season.
First, I've experienced far worse defeats personally, like a 90-45 thumping at the hands of State Champion Lexington in 1972. Getting embarrassed never feels good, and obviously, 38 years later, the memory lingers. But like the phoenix rising from the ashes, crisis turns into opportunity. Defeat can serve two masters as it can serve as motivation for future success.
Woburn came in as one of the Middlesex League favorites, while Melrose did not, and the Lady Tanners fulfilled part of their destiny tonight, coming out strong with a 13-8 lead after one period, and taking a comfortable 28-13 lead into intermission.
Before the game, we opined that Melrose would have to control both boards, take care of the ball by limiting turnovers, and make free throws as Woburn is aggressive and can be foul prone. Melrose bigs Jenny McGee and Alyssa DiRaffaele both got in early foul trouble, Melrose turned the ball over repeatedly, and the team shot 5-18 from the free throw line. Pretty much nothing went right for Melrose tonight.
By the end of the third period Woburn had widened its margin to 42-22, and Woburn slowed the game down, using the shot clock and not fast breaking in the final period as Coach Steve Sullivan clearly understood that his team controlled the action throughout.
Lady Raider Notes: A number of former Lady Raiders were spotted in the crowd, including Siena Mamayek, Ashley Cunningham, and AnneMarie Wiesen.
Melrose struggled offensively, as for consecutive games they put up just 13 points in the first 16 minutes of action.
Three Lady Raiders shared the scoring lead tonight, with Lia Limone, Alyssa DiRaffaele, and Shannon Lahiff each putting up five points. Ashley Baldwin had a pair of back door cuts for layups on passes from point guard Brooke Bell.
Melrose travels to Reading Thursday for a 7 o'clock matchup against the Rockets, whom some have touted as favorites in Division 2 this season.
Friday, December 17, 2010
"Bulletin Board Material"
Steve Pacheco has done a great job of basketball reporting for Woburnonline.com. He has given Melrose credit when they're up and pretty much ignores them this season. Here's his Middlesex League Girls Preview.
The thought of putting Melrose fifth has disaster written all over this selection and may even be bulletin board material for veteran head coach Rob Ferrante but when you lose nine seniors including three absolute stars — Hannah Brickley, Colleen Hanscom and Sienna Mamayek — it’s just too difficult to come back and compete for a league title.
For Melrose's Lady Raiders, it's simply a matter of put up and make their detractors clam up.
The thought of putting Melrose fifth has disaster written all over this selection and may even be bulletin board material for veteran head coach Rob Ferrante but when you lose nine seniors including three absolute stars — Hannah Brickley, Colleen Hanscom and Sienna Mamayek — it’s just too difficult to come back and compete for a league title.
For Melrose's Lady Raiders, it's simply a matter of put up and make their detractors clam up.
Game 2: Melrose 39 Burlington 30
Melrose went on the road for the inaugural time, and used defense and late free throws to leave with their second victory, topping Burlington 39-30.
The Lady Raiders continue to search for offensive answers, using balanced scoring and aggressive defense to lead the way. They trailed by one, after one, 8-7 and held a narrow 13-10 lead at the half. Sophomores Amanda Commito and Sydney Doherty each had four points at the half to lead the scoring.
The defensive struggle continued with Melrose leading 21-17 after three, but Burlington took a one point advantage early in the period. Melrose responded however, with an 18-13 advantage including four key Brooke Bell free throws down the stretch and six final period points from Lia Limone to seal the deal.
For the game, Limone led with eight points, Bell had seven, Commito and Doherty each added six, Alyssa DiRaffaele and Jenny McGee each had five, and Tori Wyland had two.
Melrose (unofficially) shot 15-23 from the free throw line, including 8 for 13 down the stretch.
Lady Raider Notes: A Massachusetts Basketball Coaches Hall of Famer, Sonny Lane had a saying, "it's not who starts that counts, it's who finishes." With no superstars but lots of depth, a lot of players might have the opportunity to be finishers. Tonight Brooke Bell, Lia Limone, Sydney Doherty, Alyssa DiRaffaele, and Jenny McGee were out there at crunch time, two sophomores and three juniors.
Next week the rubber meets the road, as Melrose hosts Woburn on Tuesday and Melrose travels to Reading for a 7:00 p.m. clash with their arch rival.
Here are the Boston Globe's online scores. Occasionally, they fall short of 'stone tablet' status. Noteworthy are Reading, Stoneham, Woburn, and Melrose all starting 2-0, and Winchester coming out of the chute at 0-2. In other action, the Globe notes that Scituate ended Oliver Ames' 25 game winning streak.
The Lady Raiders continue to search for offensive answers, using balanced scoring and aggressive defense to lead the way. They trailed by one, after one, 8-7 and held a narrow 13-10 lead at the half. Sophomores Amanda Commito and Sydney Doherty each had four points at the half to lead the scoring.
The defensive struggle continued with Melrose leading 21-17 after three, but Burlington took a one point advantage early in the period. Melrose responded however, with an 18-13 advantage including four key Brooke Bell free throws down the stretch and six final period points from Lia Limone to seal the deal.
For the game, Limone led with eight points, Bell had seven, Commito and Doherty each added six, Alyssa DiRaffaele and Jenny McGee each had five, and Tori Wyland had two.
Melrose (unofficially) shot 15-23 from the free throw line, including 8 for 13 down the stretch.
Lady Raider Notes: A Massachusetts Basketball Coaches Hall of Famer, Sonny Lane had a saying, "it's not who starts that counts, it's who finishes." With no superstars but lots of depth, a lot of players might have the opportunity to be finishers. Tonight Brooke Bell, Lia Limone, Sydney Doherty, Alyssa DiRaffaele, and Jenny McGee were out there at crunch time, two sophomores and three juniors.
Next week the rubber meets the road, as Melrose hosts Woburn on Tuesday and Melrose travels to Reading for a 7:00 p.m. clash with their arch rival.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Game Analysis
Melrose used the home court advantage and enough clutch plays down the stretch to garner the season opener. Coach Rob Ferrante gave all the players an opportunity to get their feet wet in varsity action, which helps get the nerves out, with the understandable consequences re: continuity or 'flow'.
Transition basketball development takes time. During that time, turnovers happen, and the eventual payoff with easier shots in transition don't always get converted. And every Melrose team and great player has missed shots, turned the ball over, and made basketball decisions they wish they had back.
Going up. Melrose took a 23-18 lead into halftime, and then outscored Belmont 10-0 in the third to take what seemed like an insurmountable lead.
Going down. The Lady Raiders caught a little 'cold' in the fourth period, as Belmont never quit, and got back into the game with better defense and some timely offensive rebounds taking advantage of Melrose not blocking out as effectively as they had earlier.
Odds and Ends.
Transition basketball development takes time. During that time, turnovers happen, and the eventual payoff with easier shots in transition don't always get converted. And every Melrose team and great player has missed shots, turned the ball over, and made basketball decisions they wish they had back.
Going up. Melrose took a 23-18 lead into halftime, and then outscored Belmont 10-0 in the third to take what seemed like an insurmountable lead.
Going down. The Lady Raiders caught a little 'cold' in the fourth period, as Belmont never quit, and got back into the game with better defense and some timely offensive rebounds taking advantage of Melrose not blocking out as effectively as they had earlier.
Odds and Ends.
- Among their fourteen players, Melrose has four natural southpaws, that can create some defensive confusion.
- Sophomore Kayla Wyland got shortened minutes because of foul trouble.
- Melrose hit 6 of 7 free throws in the second half, a key factor in icing the game.
- Unofficially, Jill Slabacheski chipped in with five rebounds.
- Melrose unveiled the new wireless scoreboard, allowing both teams to sit opposite the stands.
- Coach Ferrante called a sideline timeout to save Melrose a possession in the first half.
- Overall, the Lady Raiders were 13-21 from the charity stripe.
- Melrose's strength defensively yesterday was 'on the ball' defense.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Sister Act, Too...Melrose 43, Belmont 32
Melrose's young Lady Raiders pitched a third quarter shutout and held on to beat Belmont 43-32 in the home opener at the Middle School Gymnasium.
Coach Rob Ferrante's starters included sisters Tory and Kayla Wyland, Brooke Bell ( sisters Sam and Teagan former hoopsters), Lia Limone (sister Krista a former player), and Jenny McGee.
The defending Middlesex League tri-champs started off slowly, trailing 3-0 before rallying back to take a 4-3 lead with a strong effort from Jenny McGee.
Melrose led 23-18 at the half, as both teams struggled to find offensive consistency, with Melrose shooting 8-29 and 7-14 from the free throw line.
Melrose played shutdown defense in period three, outscoring their guests 10-0 to take a 33-18 lead into the final frame. Solid defense and solid cameo contributions from Emma Caffey and Shannon Lahiff spearheaded the effort.
But Melrose couldn't sustain the results, with Belmont closing to within three on Melrose stagnant offense and turnovers, before Melrose closed the door behind McGee inside game, Jill Slabacheski defense, and a pair of Bell free throws down the stretch.
Unofficially, McGee led the team with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks. Alyssa DiRaffaele had six points with some strong inside work, and all fourteen players got time and a chance to get their feet wet in varsity action.
Melrose travels to Burlington Friday for their first road action.
Coach Rob Ferrante's starters included sisters Tory and Kayla Wyland, Brooke Bell ( sisters Sam and Teagan former hoopsters), Lia Limone (sister Krista a former player), and Jenny McGee.
The defending Middlesex League tri-champs started off slowly, trailing 3-0 before rallying back to take a 4-3 lead with a strong effort from Jenny McGee.
Melrose led 23-18 at the half, as both teams struggled to find offensive consistency, with Melrose shooting 8-29 and 7-14 from the free throw line.
Melrose played shutdown defense in period three, outscoring their guests 10-0 to take a 33-18 lead into the final frame. Solid defense and solid cameo contributions from Emma Caffey and Shannon Lahiff spearheaded the effort.
But Melrose couldn't sustain the results, with Belmont closing to within three on Melrose stagnant offense and turnovers, before Melrose closed the door behind McGee inside game, Jill Slabacheski defense, and a pair of Bell free throws down the stretch.
Unofficially, McGee led the team with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks. Alyssa DiRaffaele had six points with some strong inside work, and all fourteen players got time and a chance to get their feet wet in varsity action.
Melrose travels to Burlington Friday for their first road action.
Monday, December 13, 2010
On with the Show This is It
Melrose hosts Belmont tomorrow at 5:30 to tip off the 2010-2011 basketball season. Make some memories for yourselves and the highlights will come.
I’m not old enough to sing the blues
But I wore the holes in the soles of these shoes
You can roll the dice ’til they call your bluff
But you can’t win until you’re not afraid to lose
Click for a team photo from Melrose Patch.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Thoughts on the Season
The great baseball player, Mickey Mantle, struck out over 1700 times in a Hall of Fame career. It's what you accomplish when you're not striking out that counts.
Some basketball quotes and thoughts to ponder:
Some basketball quotes and thoughts to ponder:
- "Be quick, but don't hurry."
- "Sports doesn't build character, it reveals character."
- "The ball is gold." (Turnovers kill you)
- The worst kind of unrecognized turnovers are forced shots.
- "It's not what you tell your players that counts, it's what they hear."
- Play hard. Play smart. Play together. Have fun.
- "It's not the name on the back of the uniform that matters, it's the name on the front."
- You become a great player by making the players around you better.
- "Activity is not achievement."
- "It's amazing what you can accomplish when nobody cares who gets the credit."
- "Nothing great is ever accomplished without enthusiasm."
- "Coaches can talk and talk and talk about something, but if you can get it on tape and show it to them, it is so much more effective."
- "If you have to rest, rest on offense not on defense."
- "The best leaders are servants. It is always about others."
- "All great teams have two things in common: defense and rebounding."
- If you're not a great shooting team, then you'd better become a great passing team...to get easy shots."
- "Bad shooters are always open."
- "The most important day of your life is today."
- "Basketball is sharing."
If, as a coach, I could convey one message to my players, it would be this, "we are a family; we practice together to get better, and if we have a good process, the results will ultimately take care of themselves."
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Season Preview
Melrose's girls' basketball teams have enjoyed remarkable success in recent years. They have won four sectional championships (2000, 2002, 2005, 2010) and won or shared the Middlesex League title in ten of the past eleven seasons.
Yet, with all that success, after graduating nine seniors, the team opens up Tuesday with optimism but limited experience. Coach Rob Ferrante faces the biggest challenge of his brief tenure, with the three-headed monster of:
Yet, with all that success, after graduating nine seniors, the team opens up Tuesday with optimism but limited experience. Coach Rob Ferrante faces the biggest challenge of his brief tenure, with the three-headed monster of:
- personnel decisions
- style of play choices
- a highly competitive Middlesex League
Without a lot of upperclassmen with extensive playing experience, the coaching staff will have to face the "learning curve" that often brings the potential for physical mistakes (turnovers) and mental errors (missed assignments, shot selection) that give coaches nightmares. But to develop players, coaches have to understand that holding the handlebars too tightly can result in sudden changes of directions or worse, and young players often respond to various coaching styles differently than veterans.
Personnel
There is considerable competition at every position. With Amanda Commito returning from injury, dynamic point guard Brooke Bell may get the opportunity to be the "lead dog" on the Melrose sled this season. Bell will have big shoes to fill following Colleen Hanscom's graduation to college basketball. At the 'two', co-captain Leah Limone has the most experience of the returning players and is the best shooter of the group. Seniors Kelsey Gilbert and Tory Wyland and sophomore Shannon Lahiff all having different skill sets as they compete for time. Gilbert may be the best defender of the group, Wyland the most athletic, and Lahiff the most basketball savvy.
Up front, it looks like an open competition, with Jill Slabacheski, Sydney Doherty, and Ashley Baldwin all well-suited to play the three, with 'Slabs' the best defender, and Doherty and Baldwin with solid offensive skills.
The four and five positions might have Alyssa DiRaffaele, co-captain Jennie McGee, and sophomore Kayla Wyland as competing for starting slots, with Emma Caffey and fast-developing shot-blocker Rachel Johnson looking for time.
Style of play
Historically, Melrose has played almost solely man-to-man defense, with a limited amount of full court pressure, and used transition off turnovers to supplement a half-court offense often filled by experienced post players. Last year's team had a superior inside presence well-suited to the "half court offense", quite different from this season's team. This year the team has no superstar (like All-scholastic Hannah Brickley), and can rely on athletic players that might flourish in an aggressive pressing style and transition game. How the coaches assemble the talent, map out team-specific strategies, and play situational basketball should be one of THE compelling storylines of the past decade.
In the past, Melrose often simply had the talent to overwhelm the opposition and put the games away early. Many of the teams had high average winning margins, even without pressure defense or second half fast break offense. Melrose's Middlesex League opponents might have long memories and seek to redress those experiences.
Middlesex League
Four teams generally are believed to head the pack - Reading, Stoneham, Winchester, and Woburn.
Reading has Coach Kim Penney gunning for a state championship, shifting Olivia Healey to point, and returning Carlene Kluge, Morgan O'Brien, and a healthy Melissa Dal Pozzo. Stoneham beat Reading in the season finale to gain a share of the league championship. They did that with pressure defense, denying the easy entry passes to the Reading bigs, and played great transition defense to deny Kluge the open-floor basketball that she craves. Like Reading, Stoneham had outstanding coaching, with Angela Billings doing a terrific job. Stoneham returns center Vanessa Bramante, Ariana Tucelli, and power forward Jen Geraghty and might be only a whisper behind Reading. Winchester has a powerful front line with slasher Shelby Santini and versatile Sam Mangano who can both be expected to average 15 or more points a game. How the team fares will depend on their guards ability to contribute and defend. Among the big four, Woburn may be the hardest to judge. They have an athletic and physical team that can give teams headaches at both ends. Shannon Maguire has the potential to be an All-League "big" and Woburn looked both strong and deep during summer league action.
You can find the schedule here.
Melrose's home opener happens Tuesday against Belmont at 5:30 at the Middle School Gym.
Sunday, December 05, 2010
Some Woodenisms on The Perfect Player
John Wooden thought of Keith Wilkes as a player who got close to playing perfectly.
1) A student
2) Be able to play
3) Be able to pass
4) Shoot from the outside and inside, too
5) Be able to rebound at both ends
6) Give the effort to become the best player he could be
"It is better to trust and be disappointed than to distrust and be miserable."
1) A student
2) Be able to play
3) Be able to pass
4) Shoot from the outside and inside, too
5) Be able to rebound at both ends
6) Give the effort to become the best player he could be
"It is better to trust and be disappointed than to distrust and be miserable."
Thursday, December 02, 2010
Coming Up: New Memories
The girls' basketball season approaches, and the team is working hard to prepare for the upcoming season. Coach Ferrante selected fourteen players, including two seniors, five juniors, and seven sophomores.
The team will look to continue the success enjoyed by Lady Raider teams over the past decade plus, needing to combine athleticism, skill, and team play to maximize their success. It won't be easy with a tough Middlesex League, with Reading the favorite, Stoneham, Woburn, and Winchester bringing back their core, and Melrose having graduated nine seniors.
Seniors:
- Kelsey Gilbert
- Tory Wyland
Juniors:
- Emma Caffey
- Alyssa DiRaffaele
- Leah Limone
- Jenny McGee
- Jill Slabacheski
Sophomores:
- Ashley Baldwin
- Brooke Bell
- Amanda Commito
- Sydney Doherty
- Rachel Johnson
- Shannon Lahiff
- Kayla Wyland
This year's team features an abundance of speed and youth, and Coach Rob Ferrante will work to maximize its collective skill.
Beantownhoops.com gives Melrose a measure of respect in their preseason rankings with a Top 30 inclusion. The beauty of basketball is that performance on the floor takes care of the rankings.
Lady Raider Notes: As is usually the case, some family affairs come to mind. Shannon Lahiff follows in the footsteps of brother Mike, who played for the Red Raiders. Brooke Bell is the third Bell sister on the team, Teagan graduating last season and Samantha a member of the 2006 graduating class. Leah Limone's sister Krista played on the 2006 D2 North champions. And, of course, sisters Tory and Kayla Wyland will play together on the varsity for the first time.
