Best win of the season for 2-1 Melrose

Published December 21, 2018

By JENNIFER GENTILE

MELROSE—The Melrose Red Raider basketball team put out a notice to the Middlesex League on Tuesday night at Woburn High after a 59-39 blowout over a talented Tanners team. Woburn was coming off an upset over defending ML Liberty champion Arlington, 54-51, Friday night, but Melrose’s power duo Luka Vlajkovic and Holden Symonds were impossible to top, and they combined for 37 points to overpower Woburn (1-2) and improve Melrose to 2-1. 

FRESHMAN FIND Holden Symonds has scored 40 points in two games for the 2-1 Red Raider hoop team. (Steve Karampalas photo)

Vlajkovic posted 19 points and Symonds 18, helping Melrose take a first-quarter lead of 22-16. Woburn benefited from sharp shooting from all star Ryan Ludwig, but Symonds and Vlajkovic, along with senior capt. Jay Tucci (9 points) kept Melrose ahead. In the second quarter, Ryan Maher nailed a trey that helped Melrose maintain a lead of 38-24 at the half. Melrose defense clamped down in the second half, limiting Woburn to only 6 points and then  just 4 in the fourth. Melrose scored more baskets in the fourth from Symonds, Marino Preziosa and Tucci, giving Melrose the overwhelming 59-39 win. 

The victory comes on the heels of Melrose’s 54-46 road win over Stoneham on Friday, Dec. 14. Holden Symonds led with 20 points. Melrose took an early 11-9 lead thanks to baskets from Vlajkovic, Harry Kelley, Brandon McSorley and Jade Jones but Melrose fought a tough battle against Spartan’s Evan Cann who had 19 points over the game. After falling to a deficit, Melrose fought back in the fourth, outscoring the Spartans 19-12 behind Symonds, Vlajkovic and Luke Pashoian. Melrose took the 54-46 win. 

Melrose coach Mike Kasprzak was happy with the back-to-back wins, especially pleased with their effort against a Tanners team that had recently been tricky for them. 

“This is one of our best overall performances in recent years against Woburn,” he says. “Now we have to build on it.” 

And they will when they host Watertown (post-deadline) before they travel to Lynnfield on Dec. 27 for a non-league game.