Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Defense Plugs Leaks, Sinks Watertown 42-40
Melrose earned a hard-earned 42-40 win tonight at the Middle School Gymnasium using defense and youth to beat Watertown.
Watertown had previously defeated Melrose on a last-second shot, so the Lady Raiders looked to earn a split on the season.
Melrose used the inside work of Kayla Wyland and threes from Lia Limone and Shannon Lahiff to take an 11-7 advantage, stretched to a 20-13 lead at halftime after strong play from Alyssa DiRaffaele. Wyland led scorers with 6 points at halftime, but it was the defense of Brooke Bell and Shannon Lahiff on Watertown's point guard Gabrielle Coppola that mattered most, as they harassed her and forced turnovers and kept her out of the lane.
Melrose got more solid team play and board work from Alyssa in the third as they took a 31-22 lead into the final stanza.
Jill Slabacheski got a quick jumper to get Melrose off to a good start in the fourth, but Watertown wouldn't quit, as they heated up from three point land, ultimately tying the game late. Melrose went with a smaller, quick lineup of Jenny McGee, Limone, Sydney Doherty, Bell, and Lahiff in the fourth. Watertown had the ball in the final minute, but Lahiff stripped the ball from Coppola, advanced it to Bell, who attacked the basket and delivered a wrap-around pass to Doherty who found the net for the game winner. Melrose was able to keep Watertown from getting quality shots in the final second to seal the win.
Alyssa had 9 points to lead Melrose scoring, followed by 8 apiece for Lia and Kayla.
Lady Raider Notes: Melrose performed better on the glass tonight, and was solid from the stripe, going 7 for 9 during the contest. Not overlooked was the sharp passing of Sydney Doherty, who had at least 4 assists, and made a number of terrific passes to help beat the Watertown press. Only outstanding three point shooting from Watertown kept them in the game in the fourth period.
The win brings Melrose to 5-12 as they host Wakefield Friday. With three games remaining, Melrose has a chance to position itself as a contender for 2011-12.
Watertown had previously defeated Melrose on a last-second shot, so the Lady Raiders looked to earn a split on the season.
Melrose used the inside work of Kayla Wyland and threes from Lia Limone and Shannon Lahiff to take an 11-7 advantage, stretched to a 20-13 lead at halftime after strong play from Alyssa DiRaffaele. Wyland led scorers with 6 points at halftime, but it was the defense of Brooke Bell and Shannon Lahiff on Watertown's point guard Gabrielle Coppola that mattered most, as they harassed her and forced turnovers and kept her out of the lane.
Melrose got more solid team play and board work from Alyssa in the third as they took a 31-22 lead into the final stanza.
Jill Slabacheski got a quick jumper to get Melrose off to a good start in the fourth, but Watertown wouldn't quit, as they heated up from three point land, ultimately tying the game late. Melrose went with a smaller, quick lineup of Jenny McGee, Limone, Sydney Doherty, Bell, and Lahiff in the fourth. Watertown had the ball in the final minute, but Lahiff stripped the ball from Coppola, advanced it to Bell, who attacked the basket and delivered a wrap-around pass to Doherty who found the net for the game winner. Melrose was able to keep Watertown from getting quality shots in the final second to seal the win.
Alyssa had 9 points to lead Melrose scoring, followed by 8 apiece for Lia and Kayla.
Lady Raider Notes: Melrose performed better on the glass tonight, and was solid from the stripe, going 7 for 9 during the contest. Not overlooked was the sharp passing of Sydney Doherty, who had at least 4 assists, and made a number of terrific passes to help beat the Watertown press. Only outstanding three point shooting from Watertown kept them in the game in the fourth period.
The win brings Melrose to 5-12 as they host Wakefield Friday. With three games remaining, Melrose has a chance to position itself as a contender for 2011-12.
// posted by Ron Sen, MD, FCCP @ 10:43 PM 
