Melrose Lady Raiders Basketball

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.

• 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.