Melrose shows dominance in 60-34 Stoneham win

Published in the January 27, 2017 edition

THE MELROSE Lady Raider hoop team picked up a league win last Friday over Stoneham, 60-34. The night also served as the teams' annual Coaches vs. Cancer game. (courtesy photo) 

THE MELROSE Lady Raider hoop team picked up a league win last Friday over Stoneham, 60-34. The night also served as the teams’ annual Coaches vs. Cancer game. (courtesy photo)

By JENNIFER GENTILE

MELROSE—The Melrose Lady Raider basketball team picked up a league win over Stoneham on Friday, Jan. 20 in front of a big home crowd to enjoy their eighth win of the season. Melrose overwhelmed the Spartans, 60-34.

Senior center Cat Torpey topped with 17 points and nine rebounds while junior Alexis Doherty had 16 points, including four treys, over the Spartans. Melrose defense meanwhile, buckled down and kept Stoneham limited to just 9 first quarter points, including some strong play by Melrose’s Lily Cunningham and junior Samantha Smith, both of whom forced turnovers and contributed with assists.

Torpey helped Melrose take a 12-9 first quarter lead and and Smith widened the gap with solid foul line shooting and a three pointer. A steal and layup by Alexis Doherty gave Melrose a lead of 21-10 and Melrose took a 26-15 lead at the half.

Melrose enjoyed a boatload of offense in the second half, led by Torpey and a barrage of treys from Doherty. Caroline Nolan, Peri McDonald and Lily Cunningham shot clean at the foul line and baskets by Smith and Torpey took Stoneham out of the game for a final 60-34.

Melrose will hit the road Friday night to take on Woburn at 7:00 p.m. at Woburn High.

Freedom League 

LEAGUE  ALL  HOME AWAY PF/G   A/G

Wakefield     7-1     9-1     2-1     7-0     49.7     38.9

Watertown    6-2     7-2     5-2     2-0     40.0     34.2

Melrose        5-3     8-3     5-2     3-1     52.1     41.8

Wilmington   4-4     7-4     2-3     5-1     55.1     49.6

Stoneham     1-7     2-9     0-4     2-5     35.2     47.8

Burlington     1-7     1-9     0-3     1-6     42.4     51.3