Winning streak lifts Melrose to another post season
Published in the February 19, 2016 edition
THE MELROSE Red Raider hoop team have returned to their sixth straight playoffs after earning their 11th win of the season Friday night. (Steve Karampalas photo)
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE — It was better late than never for the 2015-16 Melrose High boys’ hoop team who qualified for their sixth straight post season appearance on Friday, Feb. 12 after a down-to-the-wire 54-52 win over a surging Stoneham team at home at the Melrose Middle School gym.
The victory comes on the heels of a 56-52 win over Watertown on Feb. 9 and their latest win over Lynnfield on Monday, Feb. 15, 66-44. Now riding a three game winning streak, Melrose has improved their record to 11-8 with their regular season finale on the horizon at Chelsea on Thursday (post deadline). Now, it’s time for the Red Raiders to focus on MIAA playoffs which will begin around the first week in March.
According to head coach Mike Kasprzak, paying attention to small details in the last week has paid dividends. “I think since our Wakefield [loss] it served as a bit of a turning point. The game had a playoff mentality and coming back and winning three in a row has been a big confidence builder. Overall, we’re improving our man-to-man coverage, boxing out better. Offensively there have been many players contributing, which is an advantage.”
One of those players has been T’Mahri Mercer, who had a big 17 points and 9 assists in Melrose’s playoff-clinching win over the Spartans. “He played tremendously,” says his coach. “He came up with a big free shot at the end and Julian [Nyland’s] steal helped finish it.”
The evening served as Senior Night for the Red Raiders, honoring their two seniors: captain Julian Nyland and senior James Liles. It was an upperclass special for the two, as Liles enjoyed over 10 points and Nyland had a game saving steal in the final seconds to seal the 54-52 victory. But it was a combined effort of all the Raiders on offense, with baskets from Nyland, T’Mahri Mercer and Sean Prendergast.
Another Raider who has been a leading scorer is Avery Davis, who had a double double (20 points, 10 rebounds) against Lynnfield Monday night during Melrose’s 66-44 victory. “Avery is just having an excellent season, he was on JV last season but has been so big for us.” Another first year varsity starter is Malik Monteiro, a forward who had a strong game against Lynnfield with 13 points and 12 rebounds.
On defense, Kasprzak notes the contributions from Devondre Williams. “His defense has been excellent, he’s really doing a good job pressuring his man, helping us rotate defense.”
Overall, Melrose has made minor adjustments in the last few weeks that tip the scales between winning and losing. One clear difference has been Melrose’s rebound game, improved since the start of the season. On Monday, Melrose enjoyed a rebound advantage of 31-14. According to their coach, it’s the little things that often lead to wins. “Earlier in the year at 4-7, we could have let the season get away from us but I’m proud of them chipping away at wins and rising to the occasion. They’re happy and they should be.”
Noting that the Div. 2 North field is the “deepest in the state” Kasprzak acknowledges tough competition in post season, including city talents Brighton and New Mission (whom Melrose has rumbled with in the past) and not to mention – state champion Danvers. “There is a lot of talent out there but we’re staying in games. It’s always better to play your best in February than December.”
Playoff brackets are expected to be released Feb. 27.
