Thursday, December 29, 2011
Beware of the Wachusett* (Rated-R)
Melrose (1-4) hosted Wachusett (5-0) in the final of its holiday tournament and came away literally licking their wounds, with a 48-35 defeat at the Middle School. Wachusett had a front line standing over and above the Lady Raiders, and parlayed that size advantage into rebounding and interior superiority en route to victory.
*Exaggeration you say?
Note: the other arm looks worse. Tetanus toxoid anyone?
Wachusett powered out of the gate with a 15-6 opening period lead behind the play of Shannon Holt. But Melrose responded in the second frame with better passing, better ball movement, and better shooting to close to within four at 22-18 at the break. Melrose got seven points from Sydney Doherty (7) in the period, Lia Limone's (8) second trey, with a 12-7 advantage.
Although Melrose came out with the opening hoop of the third period, to close within a pair, Wachusett responded with man-to-man defense and a devastating fast break to go up by double figures, before Melrose closed to within eight after three as Brooke Bell (7) finished the period with a traditional three point play.
The visitors kept the pressure on down the stretch, with Holt doing more damage late as Melrose got worn down by the Wachusett size. Melrose couldn't get off much inside because of the shot blocking and altering, and Wachusett remained undefeated by holding the Lady Raiders to five fourth period points.
Game Analysis:This was a classic David and Goliath contest, and as the saying goes, "the race is not always to the swiftest or the battle to the strongest, but it pays to bet that way." Melrose improved its ball movement against the zone at times. and showed flashes at times, but the size and strength of Wachusett showed.
*Exaggeration you say?
Wachusett powered out of the gate with a 15-6 opening period lead behind the play of Shannon Holt. But Melrose responded in the second frame with better passing, better ball movement, and better shooting to close to within four at 22-18 at the break. Melrose got seven points from Sydney Doherty (7) in the period, Lia Limone's (8) second trey, with a 12-7 advantage.
Although Melrose came out with the opening hoop of the third period, to close within a pair, Wachusett responded with man-to-man defense and a devastating fast break to go up by double figures, before Melrose closed to within eight after three as Brooke Bell (7) finished the period with a traditional three point play.
The visitors kept the pressure on down the stretch, with Holt doing more damage late as Melrose got worn down by the Wachusett size. Melrose couldn't get off much inside because of the shot blocking and altering, and Wachusett remained undefeated by holding the Lady Raiders to five fourth period points.
Game Analysis:This was a classic David and Goliath contest, and as the saying goes, "the race is not always to the swiftest or the battle to the strongest, but it pays to bet that way." Melrose improved its ball movement against the zone at times. and showed flashes at times, but the size and strength of Wachusett showed.
// posted by Ron Sen, MD, FCCP @ 9:38 PM 
