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.
// posted by Ron Sen, MD, FCCP @ 9:48 PM 
