Saturday, January 11, 2014
Game 8: Burlington 57 Melrose 41
Melrose continued its recent homestand with Alumnae Night, celebrating former Lady Raiders, including Coach Lindsay Shanahan and Freshman Coach Lynley DeAmato. Burlington had other plans though, using a 20-2 third quarter run to extend Melrose's losing streak to seven games and dropping the Lady Raiders to 1-7.
The first half was competitive, tied at 10 after the first quarter and Melrose trailing 25-22 at the half. Olivia Smith and Caroline Sullivan both had four points in the half to keep the game close.
Basketball analyst Dean Oliver of the Denver Nuggets has shown four prime statistical correlates to winning basketball - shooting percentage differential, turnovers, rebounding, and free throws attempted. The ability to make quality shots and deny easy baskets is the first and largest factor in developing winning teams. Rebounding and turnovers are "possession stats" reflecting a team's ability to get and maintain possessions. Melrose shot 8 for 22 during the first half which allowed them to hang around despite fifteen first half turnovers.
Coach Bob Knight says it's the first five minutes of the second half that are the most important in the game, tracking coaching and team adjustments. Burlington came out of intermission with a 16-0 run in the first 3:45 and a 20-2 run overall en route to a 23-7 third quarter advantage. They forced ten Melrose turnovers (33 for the game) and hurt Melrose badly on the boards as Melrose couldn't achieve even fifty percent defensive rebounding percentage as the Lady Devils iced the game.
In the final few minutes of the game, Melrose switched to individual assignment defense, creating more defensive pressure and allowing the Lady Raiders to keep the game a bit closer. Sara Foote had a pair of threes, along with a pair of steals and two assists, Caroline Sullivan had her best game with eight points, Jill MacInnes added seven points and five rebounds, and Ashley Harding had six points and five rebounds.
Melrose shot a respectable 16 for 45 (.355) from the field and continued sub .500 from the line shooting 5 for 12. The defense came up with nine steals including four by Jill MacInnes. Sarah Foote had plus five on the PRS. The PRS is not a plus-minus system for time on the court, but rather assesses positive (made shots, made free throws, rebounds, assists, charges taken, screens leading to basket, turnovers forced, steals, blocked shots, held balls forced, saves, etc.) and negative (missed shots, missed free throws, turnovers, charges given). A player having an outstanding game can get into the twenties, excellent in the teens, and of course a good game earns more positive PRS points.
Game analysis: Basketball teams win by denying easy baskets, taking care of the ball, and dominating on the boards. Potent offenses either score in transition, have strong shooting, or efficient passing setting up easy shots. Melrose shot better than they had, keeping the defeat under twenty points. Burlington won the game with turnovers and by dominating the offensive glass.
To give themselves a chance to win, Melrose is going to half to tighten up the defensive boards, reduce turnovers dramatically, contest more outside shots without fouling, and improve their free throw shooting. Melrose has become a "zone team" and zone defenses have two primary weaknesses, vulnerability to transition and lack of individual rebounding assignment and both showed again last night.
The first half was competitive, tied at 10 after the first quarter and Melrose trailing 25-22 at the half. Olivia Smith and Caroline Sullivan both had four points in the half to keep the game close.
Basketball analyst Dean Oliver of the Denver Nuggets has shown four prime statistical correlates to winning basketball - shooting percentage differential, turnovers, rebounding, and free throws attempted. The ability to make quality shots and deny easy baskets is the first and largest factor in developing winning teams. Rebounding and turnovers are "possession stats" reflecting a team's ability to get and maintain possessions. Melrose shot 8 for 22 during the first half which allowed them to hang around despite fifteen first half turnovers.
Coach Bob Knight says it's the first five minutes of the second half that are the most important in the game, tracking coaching and team adjustments. Burlington came out of intermission with a 16-0 run in the first 3:45 and a 20-2 run overall en route to a 23-7 third quarter advantage. They forced ten Melrose turnovers (33 for the game) and hurt Melrose badly on the boards as Melrose couldn't achieve even fifty percent defensive rebounding percentage as the Lady Devils iced the game.
In the final few minutes of the game, Melrose switched to individual assignment defense, creating more defensive pressure and allowing the Lady Raiders to keep the game a bit closer. Sara Foote had a pair of threes, along with a pair of steals and two assists, Caroline Sullivan had her best game with eight points, Jill MacInnes added seven points and five rebounds, and Ashley Harding had six points and five rebounds.
Melrose shot a respectable 16 for 45 (.355) from the field and continued sub .500 from the line shooting 5 for 12. The defense came up with nine steals including four by Jill MacInnes. Sarah Foote had plus five on the PRS. The PRS is not a plus-minus system for time on the court, but rather assesses positive (made shots, made free throws, rebounds, assists, charges taken, screens leading to basket, turnovers forced, steals, blocked shots, held balls forced, saves, etc.) and negative (missed shots, missed free throws, turnovers, charges given). A player having an outstanding game can get into the twenties, excellent in the teens, and of course a good game earns more positive PRS points.
Game analysis: Basketball teams win by denying easy baskets, taking care of the ball, and dominating on the boards. Potent offenses either score in transition, have strong shooting, or efficient passing setting up easy shots. Melrose shot better than they had, keeping the defeat under twenty points. Burlington won the game with turnovers and by dominating the offensive glass.
To give themselves a chance to win, Melrose is going to half to tighten up the defensive boards, reduce turnovers dramatically, contest more outside shots without fouling, and improve their free throw shooting. Melrose has become a "zone team" and zone defenses have two primary weaknesses, vulnerability to transition and lack of individual rebounding assignment and both showed again last night.
// posted by Ron Sen, MD, FCCP @ 5:40 AM 
