Sunday, January 30, 2011
Playoff Hopes Dimming, Watertown 43-42
Melrose traveled to Watertown for a makeup game, and left empty-handed with a 43-42 defeat.
Melrose had a lot of chances early but struggled at the free throw line repeatedly. Their hosts led 24-20 at intermission behind strong play from freshman point guard Gabriella Coppola.
The Lady Raiders evened it up at 30 heading into the fourth period behind stingy defense.
The fourth quarter saw an exhilarating and exasperating finish. Lia Limone hit a three-pointer with 3.8 seconds remaining to give Melrose a 42-41 lead. Watertown found Coppola near mid-court and the freshman drove to the hoop and for a layup with no time remaining to give the Raiders the win.
The loss drops the Lady Raiders to 4-7 with plenty of iron left on the schedule, including undefeated Reading on Tuesday.
Melrose had a lot of chances early but struggled at the free throw line repeatedly. Their hosts led 24-20 at intermission behind strong play from freshman point guard Gabriella Coppola.
The Lady Raiders evened it up at 30 heading into the fourth period behind stingy defense.
The fourth quarter saw an exhilarating and exasperating finish. Lia Limone hit a three-pointer with 3.8 seconds remaining to give Melrose a 42-41 lead. Watertown found Coppola near mid-court and the freshman drove to the hoop and for a layup with no time remaining to give the Raiders the win.
The loss drops the Lady Raiders to 4-7 with plenty of iron left on the schedule, including undefeated Reading on Tuesday.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Norris Trophies
Don Norris shares some of his photo wizardry with some shots before and during a recent contest. Click the pictures to see the whole picture.
Senior Tory Wyland (left) and Amanda Commito share a light-hearted moment before the game.
______________
Lia Limone brings experience and shooting skills to the '2' guard spot.
_____________________
Kayla Wyland goes up for two.
_________________________
This is your team.
____________________________
Alyssa DiRaffaele is Melrose's best rebounder.
_________________________________________
Brooke Bell (left) and Tory Wyland have excelled defensively this season.
___________________
Shannon Lahiff has great basketball instincts, coming from a basketball family.
_______________________
Sydney Doherty has the potential to be an explosive scorer.
__________________________________
Kelsey Gilbert, Melrose's other senior adds solid defensive skills to the Lady Raiders.
______________________
Ashley Baldwin has the versatility to play guard or forward, with a diverse set of athletic skills.
_________________________________
Sophomores Kayla Wyland (left) and Rachel Johnson share spots on the volleyball court as well as the hardwood.
__________________________
Jenny McGee has the quickness to play away from the low post and an inside game.
______________________________________
Jill Slabacheski (left) and Emma Caffey bolster Melrose's inside strength.
______________
_____________________
_________________________
____________________________
_________________________________________
___________________
_______________________
__________________________________
______________________
_________________________________
__________________________
______________________________________
Road Worries, Woburn Tames Lady Raiders, 57-44
Melrose went in to once-beaten Woburn with high hopes, but left on the short end of the score, falling 57-44.
The Lady Raiders got off to a good start, leading after the first period, 14-13, with sophomores Brooke Bell and Kayla Wyland combining for ten points. Melrose kept up the solid defense, tied at 20 against a Woburn team known for their defense.
Woburn garnered a measure of control in the third, as they outscored Melrose 37-34.
But in the pivotal fourth, Woburn went wild at the line, and doubled up Melrose 20-10, to ice the victory and remain in the hunt trailing Reading. Brooke Bell had ten points followed by Kayla Wyland with nine to lead Melrose.
Lady Raider Notes: Melrose travels to Watertown Sunday for a makeup against the young and talented Raiders. Melrose will try to regain their mojo as they battle to get to the post-season.
Coach Rob Ferrante made a special appearance on MMTV's sports program "Let's Talk Sports" sharing his thoughts and ideas about the Melrose basketball program. The segment should be appearing soon. Also on that episode, the Melrose High School Athletic Hall of Fame reveals the newest inductees to the Hall.
The Lady Raiders got off to a good start, leading after the first period, 14-13, with sophomores Brooke Bell and Kayla Wyland combining for ten points. Melrose kept up the solid defense, tied at 20 against a Woburn team known for their defense.
Woburn garnered a measure of control in the third, as they outscored Melrose 37-34.
But in the pivotal fourth, Woburn went wild at the line, and doubled up Melrose 20-10, to ice the victory and remain in the hunt trailing Reading. Brooke Bell had ten points followed by Kayla Wyland with nine to lead Melrose.
Lady Raider Notes: Melrose travels to Watertown Sunday for a makeup against the young and talented Raiders. Melrose will try to regain their mojo as they battle to get to the post-season.
Coach Rob Ferrante made a special appearance on MMTV's sports program "Let's Talk Sports" sharing his thoughts and ideas about the Melrose basketball program. The segment should be appearing soon. Also on that episode, the Melrose High School Athletic Hall of Fame reveals the newest inductees to the Hall.
Shey, It Is So
Shey Peddy continues to perform at a high level for Temple, leading the Owls in scoring, assists, steals, and free throw percentage. She had 19 points and 8 steals against UMASS Wednesday.
Peddy is a former Lady Raider captain, 3 time Middlesex League MVP, and Boston Globe "Super Team" member.
Peddy is a former Lady Raider captain, 3 time Middlesex League MVP, and Boston Globe "Super Team" member.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Melrose Holds Serve at Home, 47-44 Over Burlington
After an extended break with snow days and missed school, Melrose returned to action and extended their winning streak to two with a 47-44 home victory over Burlington.
Coach Rob Ferrante's squad boosted their offensive output, after getting off to a slow start, trailing 14-11 after the first period. Brooke Bell got off to a quick start with five first period points, and a couple of near misses on good 'takes'. Melrose did run into some early foul trouble up front as well.
The defense stiffened in the second period, holding the Lady Devils to eight points and the team went into the break even at twenty-two. Ashley Baldwin and Emma Caffey both had some good moments in the quarter, especially on the defensive boards.
Burlington seized the initiative in the third period going up by six before the Lady Raiders were able to close the gap late to a pair, with seven third period tallies by Jenny McGee, including a spinning layup underneath.
Melrose was finally able to seize control in the fourth period behind a lineup of Bell, Lia Limone, Sydney Doherty, Jill Slabacheski, and Jenny McGee. It was defensive intensity leading to transition offense, with key contributions up and down the lineup. The young team still has some room for growth, as they can continue to improve their game management and use of the shot clock down the stretch.
Sophomore point guard Brooke Bell led Melrose with a dozen points, Jenny McGee added eleven, and Sophomore Sydney Doherty put up ten in about fourteen minutes.
Lady Raider Notes: Melrose bested their season's best offensive output by a dozen points. The girls scuffled a bit at the free throw line as they went 10 for 21. Melrose travels to second-place Woburn Friday as they seek to return to the .500 mark.
Coach Rob Ferrante's squad boosted their offensive output, after getting off to a slow start, trailing 14-11 after the first period. Brooke Bell got off to a quick start with five first period points, and a couple of near misses on good 'takes'. Melrose did run into some early foul trouble up front as well.
The defense stiffened in the second period, holding the Lady Devils to eight points and the team went into the break even at twenty-two. Ashley Baldwin and Emma Caffey both had some good moments in the quarter, especially on the defensive boards.
Burlington seized the initiative in the third period going up by six before the Lady Raiders were able to close the gap late to a pair, with seven third period tallies by Jenny McGee, including a spinning layup underneath.
Melrose was finally able to seize control in the fourth period behind a lineup of Bell, Lia Limone, Sydney Doherty, Jill Slabacheski, and Jenny McGee. It was defensive intensity leading to transition offense, with key contributions up and down the lineup. The young team still has some room for growth, as they can continue to improve their game management and use of the shot clock down the stretch.
Sophomore point guard Brooke Bell led Melrose with a dozen points, Jenny McGee added eleven, and Sophomore Sydney Doherty put up ten in about fourteen minutes.
Lady Raider Notes: Melrose bested their season's best offensive output by a dozen points. The girls scuffled a bit at the free throw line as they went 10 for 21. Melrose travels to second-place Woburn Friday as they seek to return to the .500 mark.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Fail Blogging
Games are won and lost as often by hard-to-measure or quantify play as by the barest scoresheets. What scoresheets don't measure are intangibles like toughness, communication on defense, flash cuts denied, turnovers forced, and blockouts that allowed a teammate to gather a rebound.
Toughness is the most unappreciated skill that a player can have. The willingness to compete at all times, even when facing opponents who might be faster or stronger can compensate for other shortcomings.
The news for the season thus far is decidedly mixed. Historically, the team has sought to limit their opponents to 40 points or less. And through eight games, the team is surrendering 40.25 points per game, and has allowed over 50 points only once. That performance is well within parameters for success. Unfortunately, the Lady Raiders are averaging only 34.25 points, and have yet to score fifty.
Melrose will have to go 7-5 to make the post-season, which is certainly achievable, provided the team continues to improve. What needs to be done?
Toughness is the most unappreciated skill that a player can have. The willingness to compete at all times, even when facing opponents who might be faster or stronger can compensate for other shortcomings.
The news for the season thus far is decidedly mixed. Historically, the team has sought to limit their opponents to 40 points or less. And through eight games, the team is surrendering 40.25 points per game, and has allowed over 50 points only once. That performance is well within parameters for success. Unfortunately, the Lady Raiders are averaging only 34.25 points, and have yet to score fifty.
Melrose will have to go 7-5 to make the post-season, which is certainly achievable, provided the team continues to improve. What needs to be done?
- Possession by possession basketball (efficient high school offense can score 0.75 to 0.85 points per possession)
- Attacking defense to generate easier scoring opportunities off transition
- Optimal pressure on the ball coupled with improved post defense
"Do or do not, there is no try."
Monday, January 17, 2011
King for a Day
Melrose played its annual Martin Luther King Day game today, traveling to Wakefield for a late eruption and a 40-24 victory. The victory raises the Lady Raiders record to 3-5, with a makeup game against Watertown to complete the first half of Middlesex League play.
The first half gave fans a seesaw battle with the score tied at eight after one and Melrose up a bucket 15-13 at the break. Lia Limone had seven first half points to pace Melrose.
The third period continued the defensive battle, with Melrose up a single point 20-19.
Just as against Lexington, Melrose opened up the offense in the fourth, putting twenty points on the board, with an offensive explosion sparked by Jenny McGee and Sydney Doherty who tallied eight and six points respectively in the quarter, as Melrose capitalized at the free throw line, going 12 for 14 in the period to ice the victory.
Lia led Melrose with a dozen, Jenny added ten, and Sydney finished with eight points.
Lady Raider Notes: Kayla Wyland was out with illness for today's game. Melrose travels to Belmont Friday for the start of the second half of the ML schedule.
The first half gave fans a seesaw battle with the score tied at eight after one and Melrose up a bucket 15-13 at the break. Lia Limone had seven first half points to pace Melrose.
The third period continued the defensive battle, with Melrose up a single point 20-19.
Just as against Lexington, Melrose opened up the offense in the fourth, putting twenty points on the board, with an offensive explosion sparked by Jenny McGee and Sydney Doherty who tallied eight and six points respectively in the quarter, as Melrose capitalized at the free throw line, going 12 for 14 in the period to ice the victory.
Lia led Melrose with a dozen, Jenny added ten, and Sydney finished with eight points.
Lady Raider Notes: Kayla Wyland was out with illness for today's game. Melrose travels to Belmont Friday for the start of the second half of the ML schedule.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
A Lot More to Like
Tuesday's comeback and higher energy second half (thirty-one points) showed local fans that the Lady Raiders certainly have more in the tank, which could bode well for a successful second half.
At the end of the day, the possibilities in changing a meal include changing the recipe, how it's cooked, and who's doing the cooking. In basketball, that relates to personnel, style and strategy of play, and coaching adjustments, ranging from motivation to style.
High school athletes aren't professionals and nobody can expect perfection from a 2011 team any more than they got it from teams in the past decade and before. The players can only control a few elements, how hard they prepare, their physical effort, and their concentration and focus on tasks at hand. You can control whether you block out and how hard you play defense; you can't control whether the shots (or the other team's) fall.
In the key moments of a season or a game, the outcome hinges not on "X's and O's" but how a team's players execute individually and collectively, not only the will to win, but the skill to win.
Great players make great coaches; great coaches make teams better than good coaches. With thirteen games left in the regular season, the team has a lot to build on and plenty to build with.
At the end of the day, the possibilities in changing a meal include changing the recipe, how it's cooked, and who's doing the cooking. In basketball, that relates to personnel, style and strategy of play, and coaching adjustments, ranging from motivation to style.
High school athletes aren't professionals and nobody can expect perfection from a 2011 team any more than they got it from teams in the past decade and before. The players can only control a few elements, how hard they prepare, their physical effort, and their concentration and focus on tasks at hand. You can control whether you block out and how hard you play defense; you can't control whether the shots (or the other team's) fall.
In the key moments of a season or a game, the outcome hinges not on "X's and O's" but how a team's players execute individually and collectively, not only the will to win, but the skill to win.
Great players make great coaches; great coaches make teams better than good coaches. With thirteen games left in the regular season, the team has a lot to build on and plenty to build with.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Late Comeback Falls Short, 49-48 Lexington
Melrose worked hard to try to snap a four game losing streak, but came up short 49-48 to Lexington tonight at the Middle School Gym.
Melrose got off to a slow start, trailing 18-8 after the first, before narrowing the lead to 4, 21-17 at halftime. A combination of improved defense and some inside toughness sparked by Emma Caffey helped bring the game into reach. Lia Limone (5) and Alyssa DiRaffaele (5) led Melrose in scoring at half-time.
Lexington opened up a sizable third period lead, up 8, 37-29 into the fourth. Melrose struggled with turnovers and inability to finish near the basket.
Melrose still trailed by about ten midway through the final stanza, when they mounted a furious comeback led by Sydney Doherty (nine fourth period points) and Lia (6 for the fourth, 16 total) and got the ball back with about eight seconds to go after Lexington missed a pair of free throws. But Melrose couldn't get the ball into position to get a shot, and the visitors went home the victors.
Lia Limone had her best overall game of the year, with sixteen points, Sydney added nine, and Kayla Wyland had six points. Emma Caffey, although scoring only two points, provided toughness and interior defense in a strong effort.
Melrose got off to a slow start, trailing 18-8 after the first, before narrowing the lead to 4, 21-17 at halftime. A combination of improved defense and some inside toughness sparked by Emma Caffey helped bring the game into reach. Lia Limone (5) and Alyssa DiRaffaele (5) led Melrose in scoring at half-time.
Lexington opened up a sizable third period lead, up 8, 37-29 into the fourth. Melrose struggled with turnovers and inability to finish near the basket.
Melrose still trailed by about ten midway through the final stanza, when they mounted a furious comeback led by Sydney Doherty (nine fourth period points) and Lia (6 for the fourth, 16 total) and got the ball back with about eight seconds to go after Lexington missed a pair of free throws. But Melrose couldn't get the ball into position to get a shot, and the visitors went home the victors.
Lia Limone had her best overall game of the year, with sixteen points, Sydney added nine, and Kayla Wyland had six points. Emma Caffey, although scoring only two points, provided toughness and interior defense in a strong effort.
Saturday, January 08, 2011
Winchester's Cathedral, 35-20
Melrose traveled to Winchester and left with its fourth consecutive loss, 35-20. Making matters a bit worse was the fact that Winchester's top player, Sam Mangano, remains out with injury.
To call the game a defensive struggle would be an understatement. Melrose led 4-3 after one and was tied at 9 at the half. But a Winchester 17-7 third period put the game away, and Melrose dropped the final period 9-4 to come up with its second lowest point total since the 2002 loss to Fontbonne in Boston Garden.
Lady Raider Notes: Melrose had only six field goals for the game, and only five players scored. Brooke Bell had six points and Lia Limone five. Melrose did shoot seven for ten from the free throw line.
To call the game a defensive struggle would be an understatement. Melrose led 4-3 after one and was tied at 9 at the half. But a Winchester 17-7 third period put the game away, and Melrose dropped the final period 9-4 to come up with its second lowest point total since the 2002 loss to Fontbonne in Boston Garden.
Lady Raider Notes: Melrose had only six field goals for the game, and only five players scored. Brooke Bell had six points and Lia Limone five. Melrose did shoot seven for ten from the free throw line.
Tuesday, January 04, 2011
Bad Things Come in Threes, Stoneham 45-35
Melrose hosted undefeated Stoneham, who came and left undefeated (7-0) with a 45-35 win at the Middle School Gym.
Melrose played better, but surrendered an opening tap play hoop, trailed early 6-1, and never led. Stoneham's Vanessa Bramante got in foul trouble early, but Stoneham had enough guns among Bramante, Ariana Tucelli, and Sam Trant to give Melrose fits.
Melrose trailed 12-6 after one and 20-16 at halftime. But a crushing 15-6 third period run put the icing on Stoneham's cake, and Melrose battled in the fourth but couldn't get closer than six down the stretch.
Brooke Bell led Melrose with seven points, while Lia Limone and Alyssa DiRaffaele each chipped in with 6.
Lady Raider Notes: Tonight was Alumnae night with Lady Raiders from the 70s, 80s, oughts, and 10s coming back to receive recognition, along with former Lady Raider Coach Dave Brady.
The transition defense was much improved tonight, but a combination of needing to 'finish' on the offensive end and struggles on the defensive glass doomed Melrose's chance to steal a victory.
Melrose played better, but surrendered an opening tap play hoop, trailed early 6-1, and never led. Stoneham's Vanessa Bramante got in foul trouble early, but Stoneham had enough guns among Bramante, Ariana Tucelli, and Sam Trant to give Melrose fits.
Melrose trailed 12-6 after one and 20-16 at halftime. But a crushing 15-6 third period run put the icing on Stoneham's cake, and Melrose battled in the fourth but couldn't get closer than six down the stretch.
Brooke Bell led Melrose with seven points, while Lia Limone and Alyssa DiRaffaele each chipped in with 6.
Lady Raider Notes: Tonight was Alumnae night with Lady Raiders from the 70s, 80s, oughts, and 10s coming back to receive recognition, along with former Lady Raider Coach Dave Brady.
The transition defense was much improved tonight, but a combination of needing to 'finish' on the offensive end and struggles on the defensive glass doomed Melrose's chance to steal a victory.
