OMAR AZZAZI scored 20 points for Melrose during their game against North Reading last week. (Raj Das www.edphotos.com)
Senior Day is a down-to-wire thriller
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—While it ended in a loss, the Melrose Unified basketball team game on October 28 gave the team the time of their lives in front of a big crowd of hometown fans there to celebrate Senior Day and watch Melrose compete in a high scoring 64-60 thriller. While Melrose fell to North Reading, it was a spirited and unpredictable game that saw the Red Raiders score ten unanswered points by freshman Omar Azzazi to threaten a win just as the clock ticked down.
Melrose enjoyed a packed gym of school officials, sport teams, cheer squad, pep band, athletes from other sports and elected officials while Melrose celebrated their four seniors: capt. James Kavanaugh, Claire Morse, Harry Jaggers and Ben Donovan.
Melrose got off to a quick start behind the work of James “The President” Kavanaugh who hit his signature three early and Kevin Burke, who tallied two baskets in a row and scored on a stolen ball to keep Melrose locked in an 8-8 tie. James Donovan and Omar Azzazi added to the offense and a slew of baskets (5 in a row) by a very strong Kevin Burke gave Melrose a 28-24 lead at halftime.
It was a tight second half but thanks to efforts from Melrose’s Nick Kram and a deep basket by James Kavanaugh, Melrose kept pace with North Reading. Cram and Donovan would come up big towards the end of the game and kept Melrose in striking range at 56-48.
That’s when Melrose freshman Omar Azzazi put on a show for fans with five straights baskets. The freshman would have 20 points on the day. Melrose came as close as 62-60 with just seconds to go but a basket at the buzzer by North Reading’s Mike Pittore closed the door on Melrose for a 64-60 final. It was an exciting finish to their most competitive game of the season.
After the game, Melrose players acknowledged what a barn burner it was and an overall fun game to be a part of. Freshman Omar Ozazzi spoke about his debut season and the team’s come-from-behind effort. “It felt great,” he said. “We’ve had some good practices. I think the key for us was waiting for our team to really defend the ball and I think we did that well.”
Captain James Kavanaugh (10 pts) agreed. Having a good game on Senior Night feels great,” says The President. “They were a tough team but we kept up with them. Being a senior playing this game has been very good and I couldn’t have done it without my friend Grace Zinck.”
