THE MELROSE High boy’s basketball team fell in the opening around of the Div. 2 playoffs against a tough Worcester South team. Pictured is senior Jake Bird. (photo by Raj Das, edphotos.com)
South High Community a tough team to handle
By JENNIFER GENTILE
WORCESTER—The Div. 2 playoff journey for the Melrose High boys’ basketball team ended in a 78-43 first round loss to Worcester South High Community School on the road in Worcester on Monday, Feb. 27, ending Melrose’s season at 10-11 overall.
It was a blink and you’ll miss it appearance for the boys in the red and white, who secured a #35 seed on Saturday, Feb. 25 and played in just 48 hours against a #30 seeded team that not many in this area are familiar with. (Of course, that’s the beauty of the new playoff system. One day you’re playing Stoneham and the next you’re crossing over the Bourne Bridge for a playoff opener.)
Getting there, Melrose had enjoyed a remarkable late season run, winning about 80% of their final season games to get to a postseason, in one of the most impressive MHS campaigns of school year.
But on Monday, Melrose was outscored most of the game, starting with a deficit of 21-12 in the second quarter and 32-19 at the half, despite baskets from Cam Lippie (10 pts) Nasir Monteiro (8) and John Lamas (7).
Melrose fell to a deeper deficit of 51-28 going into the 4th, an uphill battle they’d never overcome. The final score of 78-43 was certainly not the outcome they wanted, but no doubt the team will take solace in continuing a years-long tradition of Div. 2 playoff appearances.
With the win, South High will advance to play Sharon this week.
There were 41 teams in the Div. 2 field, a bracket that didn’t do Melrose any favors all year. While a few other MHS teams enjoyed healthy power ratings despite modest records, this team had to scrape for every win to generate ranking movement. They also played in unusually strong Freedom League that has Wakefield (18-2) and Burlington (15-5) facing Melrose twice.
That’s something Melrose coach Dan Burns acknowledged after the game as he looks back on the season. “We had to really earn every win this year. I was surprised we were 35th and dropped in the last power rankings. I believe every team in our league dropped which was shocking. The Freedom was very tough this year.”
Nonetheless, Melrose had some quality wins that showcased the tremendous talent on the team, with impressive wins over Reading (73-65) and Burlington (59-54) being a few of the better victories. And while those efforts didn’t duplicate against this fairly unknown Worcester opponent, it won’t diminish the efforts of the team this season, including that of his five departing seniors, captain Cam Lippie, Nasir Monteiro, Sid Praveen, capt. Ellis Davis and Jake Bird.
“We had great seniors,” says the coach. “We don’t make the tournament without great senior leadership.”
But he also has moments to look back and learn from. “We had some lows as well,” he says. “But I believe many teams need to learn how to lose before they can learn how to win. I thought we really showed a lot of growth on learning from mistakes.”
Melrose will be in good hands with playmakers and starters like John Arens, Connor Brophy, Miles Nzui, John Lamas coming back plus experienced players Ben Perella, Owen Mujalli, and Gino Preziosa.
And Melrose has no desire to break their playoff streak.
“Next year the goal will be to get back to the tournament,” says Burns. “We have some returning players. As I always say though ‘just because you are a year older doesn’t mean you are better.’ We need a good off season.”
