Melrose Lady Raiders Basketball

Melrose finished the regular season with a tough loss to Wilmington, 36-33, in the consolation round of the St. Mary's tournament.

Melrose finished the season 6-14, 6-10 in the Middlesex League schedule and 0-4 in the Holiday Tournament and the St. Mary's tournament. The Lady Raiders went 3-3 against the Middlesex Liberty and 3-7 against the Middlesex Freedom division. The Lady Raiders had moved to within shouting distance of a playoff berth at 6-8, but struggled down the stretch.

The team averaged 44.2 points per game, with a season high of 75 against Wakefield. They eclipsed fifty points five times and held teams to forty points or less, a traditional Lady Raider goal, on five occasions. The team scored over fifty points in four of their six wins. In games decided by five points or less, they went 1-5, including four of the final six games.

In the penultimate game of the season, against Tewksbury in the St. Mary's Tournament, Melrose fell 47-42. Melrose was missing Brooke Bell, Jill MacInnes, and Maeve Moriarty for the game.

Melrose trailed 22-20 at the half, but led 33-29 after three periods.

Sydney Doherty led Melrose scorers with 16, followed by Kayla Wyland with 10, and Ashley Baldwin with 9 points.

The defeat drops Melrose to 6-13.  The Lady Raiders will play their final game of the season tomorrow in the consolation round.

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Melrose looked for return engagement redemption at "The Birdcage" in Watertown, the gymnasium awash in fans making eerily awkward noises during the game.  But Melrose came up short without guard Brooke Bell, out with illness, against Gabrielle Coppola the fireplug sparkplug Watertown point guard.

Melrose came out aggressively with Kayla Wyland having a career game. Kayla put up 13 first half points en route to a spectacular 24 point, 12 rebound, 7 block game before fouling out in the fourth period. 

Despite Kayla's heroics, Melrose still trailed 24-19 at the half.

Opening the second half, the worst thing that could happen would be a couple of quick Watertown hoops, which gave the home Raiders a nine point lead. Watertown got very physical and forced a number of turnovers, limiting Melrose from getting many shots.

Nonetheless, the Lady Raiders fought back to even the score at 34. Big hoops from Ashley Baldwin and Allie Nolan helped spur the rally. Unfortunately, Watertown "Coppola'ed" Melrose with a 20-6 run, abetted by Kayla fouling out trying to make her eighth block.

Lady Raider Notes: Tonight was the final game of the Middlesex League regular season. The loss drops Melrose to 6-12. The Lady Raiders travel to the St. Mary's tournament in Lynn to play Sunday.

The "Harvard" set play has been a staple for many years for Melrose basketball. Unfortunately, teams around the league have scouted the base options and have, for the most part, prevented it from achieving its full potential.

It is vital to understant that in basketball, "seeing the game" has paramount importance in order to optimize execution. And assiduous practice of fundamentals, combined with putting players in the best position to succeed, matters.

The "base formation" is the so-called 1-4, with a one guard front and twin high posts. In its purest form, initiating the offense creates defensive problems as there is no intrinsic 'helpside' defense available.  The power of the offense comes from multiple options AND from its moving defenses away from the basket.  This offense has been around for a long-time, for example, having been run for well over 40 years.

What one sees, day-to-day, is "wing entry" illustrated above, followed by ballside cutting, and the attempt at running a 'side screen' into a screen and roll. There's nothing wrong with this, but it diminishes the power of offensive creativity. How can this offense be unleashed?  I'm going to list, rather than illustrate each possibility, for time's sake.  These are just some of the opportunities.

1. Initial give-and-go cut to the point guard (seldom works, as every competent team will jump to the ball defensively).
2. UCLA or "flex cut" off the high post. The point guard reads the defender's approach.
3. Pop out off flex cut as the point guard "pops out" if the defender cheats aggressively.
4. Initial drive from the wing, if available. Hannah Brickley often used this approach as defenders overplayed the side-screen.
5. Slip screen for the high post initially (post entry backcut versus wing entry)
6. Slip screen to high post instead of completing pick and roll. Post comes to set screen and back cuts overplay.
7. Initial pick and roll...with options. If defender goes 'under', wing has option of outside jump shot.
8. Initial post entry with wing back cut. Excellent play and very hard to defend. In this approach the guard does not cut through.
9. Post entry one-on-one.
10.Wing entry with post pass and then give-and-go back cut, excellent against overplay defense (e.g. Lexington).
11. Wing entry with cross screen to weakside post cutting to low block.
12. Wing entry with fake cross screen and back cut by screener.
13. Post entry with handoff to guard for drive.
14. Wing entry with side screen with players relocating to "spread formation" (3 out, 2 in) allowing initiation of "dribble-drive" offense with so-called draw and kick action for open three-point shots.
15. Post entry with guard cutting to set screen for wing (think Rondo for Pierce, with Garnett passing). Alternatively, wing entry, guard cut through and pass to corner, and screen for wing by post or vice versa.

The side pick-and-roll easily morphs into draw and kick opportunities, with players relocating to spots for open 'looks'.

When does this offense not getting maximum production?  Here are just a few of the possibilities:

• Wing drive off post not getting effective screen (not coming off screen tightly)
• Poor rolling
• Wing unable to turn the corner because drive to 'weak hand'. This can improve by locating left-handed players on right side of formation and vice versa
• Ineffective initial cut (flex cut) or inability to read the defense

No offense is intrinsically "good" or "bad".  The most effective teams don't 'run plays' they 'make plays' via "deliberate practice" and highly skilled execution forged through that practice.

Legendary coach Pete Newell used to say, "The players aren't cattle." He meant that when well-taught the 'whys' of the game, their quality of play and execution can improve.

The season isn't done, but I want to share a few thoughts about the Class of 2013.  Ralph Labella and I had the good fortune to coach many of these girls for three enjoyable years in middle school, where they were extremely successful both in the Middlesex League and in the River Valley 'A' League.

In fact, they held their own against some of the teams which are among the best in the North, winning some and coming up short sometimes.

Ashley Baldwin - In addition to being a terrific athlete, Ashley told me that she enjoyed reading a book I recommended "In These Girls Hope is a Muscle." Ashley always cared. Ashley has always been a competitor and has been a three sport athlete at Melrose. She is an outstanding softball player as well.

Brooke Bell - Brooke has had a wonderful athletic career at Melrose, successful in basketball and outstanding (D2 Player of the Year) in volleyball. Brooke's left-handed, and that shows up as Brooke being Brooke. She is an excellent defender and a leader among her peers. I'm sure that we'll hear a lot more about her athletic career going forward.

Sydney Doherty - Syd has always been one of the favorite players I've coached. She began as an athletic player, with limited skills, and became a dominant player in Middle School, scoring in the twenties on numerous occasions. She has that 'touch' around the basket. Things haven't always gone her way, including a variety of injuries, but she remains the same positive, pleasant young person. And like Brooke and Kayla, she has a volleyball state championship ribbon on her resume'.

Shannon Lahiff - Shannon has always had a good head for the game, with good anticipation. She had a half dozen assists in a game on several occasions. I'll always remember that she sent me a note thanking me for coaching that helped her become a varsity player. Classy.

Kayla Wyland - Kayla has become a dominant player in the Middlesex League. I haven't seen every player on every team (almost), but she is right up there with the Healy/Coppola/Kelly upper echelon. If you had to pick a Melrose 'best twelve' over the past dozen years, she has a definite argument to be in that conversation with her scoring, rebounding, and shot blocking. Her father reminded me that I once said that "her arms are so long, she can tie her shoes without bending over." And like all her teammates, she is a first class person.

Bill Parcells used to say "you are what your record is."  I disagree.

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way..." - Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

Stoneham eliminated Melrose in the chase for post-season play, defeating the Lady Raiders 60-43 at the Middle School on Senior Night. Tournament play is no birthright, and the right combination of athleticism, skill, teamwork, and coaching never came together despite a season of hard work and good intentions.

Five seniors - Ashley Baldwin, Brooke Bell, Sydney Doherty, Shannon Lahiff, and Kayla Wyland all played their final game before the home crowd. And in the first half, they played very solid basketball, with only six turnovers and eighteen rebounds, all this with Kayla sitting out ten invaluable minutes with a pair of fouls. Melrose went to intermission leading 28-26, sparked by three treys from Brooke and five rebounds off the bench from Jill MacInnes.

But the second half, the 'Border War' belonged to Stoneham, and especially Sam Trant who was outstanding on both ends of the court. The Spartans outscored Melrose 17-4 in the third period, and 17-11 in the final frame to sweep the season's series. Brooke led Melrose scorers with eleven points, followed by Kayla with ten, Sydney with eight and Katie Sullivan with eight.

Melrose falls to 6-11 with the loss and travels to Watertown Friday in the Middlesex League finale.

Lady Raider Notes: Before the game, the seniors were recognized for their contributions and found the gym decorated for the occasion with balloons, streamers, banners, and oversized head-and-shoulder photographs. Congratulations to all the seniors for their dedication and loyalty, and to the parents for their unwavering support of their children and the team.

Melrose traveled to Wilmington to makeup Friday's postponed basketball game and the hosts won a hard-fought 43-39 victory.

Absent practice since Thursday, both teams struggled to get any offensive flow early, with Melrose leading 10-8 after one.

Melrose went ice cold in the second and much of the third period, scoring only 2 points in the second, and allowing Wilmington to open up a 38-28 lead before the Lady Raiders rallied.

Melrose got the score to within 41-39, when Katie Sullivan had a defensive rebound and was double-teamed, as Melrose was unable to call a timeout. The play turned into a pair of Wilmington free throws to seal the game for the Wildcats.

Ashley Baldwin had a strong game for Melrose off the bench with seven points on outside shooting, and Kayla Wyland was her usual force inside to lead all Melrose scorers.

Lady Raider Notes: Melrose has four games remaining with Stoneham (Senior Night Tuesday), Watertown, and the St. Mary's Tournament in Lynn. They will need to win all four to earn a post-season spot.

Melrose traveled to Wakefield in need of extra help, with Brooke Bell and Kayla Wyland recovering from illness and Sydney Doherty out with an ankle sprain. They got a strong effort from the team, but Wakefield broke its ten game losing streak, beating Melrose on a hoop with a second left to win 45-43.

Both teams played well in the first period with Wakefield up 15-14.  Melrose came on in the second and third frames to lead 25-17 and 34-26, but Wakefield came alive late, mostly from improved shooting.

The game was tied late at 43 with Melrose's possession under their own basket. Wakefield made an excellent coaching adjustment, using a safe trap (the 2-2-1 popularized by UCLA in the 1960s and 1970s) and Melrose turned the ball over. Wakefield scored with a second to go and Melrose couldn't get off a final shot.

Kayla Wyland had 16 points, Brooke Bell 7, and Katie Sullivan 6 to lead the Lady Raiders. Melrose shot 18 for 27 from the stripe, but unofficially only 12-50 from the field, which proved to be too much to overcome.

The loss drops Melrose to 6-9, leaving them with a razor-thin margin of error to make the post-season with games against Wilmington, Stoneham, Watertown, and the St. Mary's Tournament.

With Brooke Bell out with illness, Melrose stepped up, recovering from a 36-24 third a quarter deficit to take the game into overtime at 53, and tack on 12-5 overtime to win 65-57 at the Middle School.

It was a tale of two very different halves, with Melrose trailing 28-20 at the break, being outshot 41 to 21 field goals, committing sixteen turnovers.

But in the second half, Melrose chipped away, led by a fantastic night from ML Freedom MVP candidate Kayla Wyland, who put in 24 points while adding 11 rebounds and 6 blocks. But she got plenty of help, with 14 from Sydney Doherty, 12 from Katie Sullivan, and 12 off the bench from Ashley Baldwin.

Down the stretch, Sullivan was huge, as she had six offensive boards on the night, and made a free throw in the final twenty seconds to send the game into overtime.

Sullivan also added four points in overtime along with three from Baldwin, as Melrose converted 8 of 11 overtime free throws to take home the win.

Lady Raider Notes: The win brings Melrose to 6-8 and keeps them in the hunt for post-season play.

I have edited out the turnover column and the personal foul column is not complete.