Despite tough draw, Melrose ready for Danvers
Published in the March 4, 2016 edition
STUDENTS OF the game. The Melrose Red Raider hoop team hopes to advance past current Div. 2 State Champ Danvers this week in the opening round of the D2 North playoffs. The team played Danvers on Wednesday on the road (post deadline). (Donna Larsson photo)
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE — Entering the Div. 2 North playoffs for their sixth straight year, the Melrose Red Raider hoop team is no stranger to high pressure games. With a record of 12-8 Melrose enters the fray 13th seeded and as of press time were scheduled to travel to Danvers High on Wednesday (post deadline) to face the Div. 2 undefeated state champ Danvers Falcons team, seeded fourth at 16-4.
Tall order, indeed. The Div. 2 North field is a pretty tough contingent, with talent such as New Mission, Salem and Arlington hovering at the top of the division. But according to Melrose head coach Mike Kasprzak, the Raiders are prepared and hoping to take advantage of a 4-game winning streak that concluded their regular season.
Danvers, Kasprzak notes, is a tough-as-billed team. “We’ve scouted them a number of times,” he says. “They’re extremely athletic and shoot well. They’re not the same team as last season because they’ve lost a number of seniors, but they do have the best defense we will have seen.” That includes Danvers’ tough back court, and four strong guards capable of driving, kicking and hitting threes.
Melrose will look to rely on their own well-balanced offense, with contributions from anyone from captain Julian Nyland, T’Mahri Mercer, Avery Davis and Sean Prendergast; all capable of scoring double-doubles in any given day. Playmakers such as Sean Donovan, James Liles, Malik Monteiro and Devondre Williams will also be counted on, having shown plenty of talent in the regular season.
One thing Melrose can count on is a fluid team chemistry. Says Kasprzak, “We lost seniors last year and there were new roles being developed, particularly early in the season. But the collective mentality has been good. It didn’t happen overnight, there were some growing pains but it took weeks to get a chemistry that works and it has made a difference during the last portion of the season.”
One player who brings tourney experience to the floor is senior captain Julian Nyland. “Julian has the playoff experience for us, he’s been in three tournaments for us. He’s a big game player in other sports as well. I certainly don’t want to put any pressure on him, but we rely on him as a leader.”
Should the Raiders advance past the Falcons, on tap will be Brighton (13-8) who just beat Belmont in opening round play on Tuesday. Brighton is no stranger to Melrose, or the Div. 2 North playoffs, having enjoyed a strong run a few seasons ago.
“We’ll be prepared,” says Kasprzak. “We’re quizzing the kids, getting them ready and having some really strong, aggressive practices. It’s one game at a time.”
At press time, the Raider/Falcon game will have been played this past Wednesday 3/2 (post deadline). Fans are encouraged to visit www.miaa.net for playoff updates.
Note: Free boys’ hoop clinic on Wednesday
All Melrose boys from 6th-11th grade are invited to take part in a FREE hoop clinic on Wednesday, March 9 at the Melrose Middle School gym. Led by coach Kasprzak and the team, the clinic will take place from 3:30-5 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon at the gym.
Div. 2 North Bracket:
1. Salem (18-2).900
2. New Mission (17-3) .850
3. Arlington (16-4).800
4. Danvers (16-4) .800
5. Belmont (17-5) .773
6. Latin Academy (14-6) .700
7. Tewksbury (15-7) .682
8. Beverly (15-7) .682
9. Wakefield (12-6) .667
10. Woburn (13-7) .650
11. Malden Catholic (13-7) .650-
12. Brighton (13-8) .619
13.Melrose (12-8) .600
14. Lynn Classical (13-9).591
15. Reading (10-8) .556
16. Chelsea (11-9).550
17. Masconomet (10-10) .500
18. Gloucester (10-10) .500
