Kelley, Preziosa deliver in pre-playoff win over Wildcats

Published February 22, 2019

By JENNIFER GENTILE

MELROSE—The Melrose Red Raider basketball team finished their regular season with a resounding 81-40 thumping over Wilmington on Thursday, Feb. 14 at the Melrose Middle School gym. On a night that honored the team’s seniors, it was a fitting performance for Melrose (10-8) who saw a wide array of offensive contributors.

Senior Harry Kelley led with 18 points in a double-double effort, while fellow senior Marino Preziosa hit for three three-pointers to help generate a lopsided performance against a Wilmington team who proved scrappy in round one of their meeting in January.

SENIORS WERE celebrated at the start of the Melrose/Wilmington game last Friday. Pictured with their families, from left to right are: Luke Pashoian, Harry Kelley, Jay Tucci and Marino Preziosa. (Steve Karampalas photo)

Melrose once again showed the benefit of having Chris Cusolito back in the lineup. He brought a high energy transition game that helped the Red Raiders pile on points in the first quarter. Junior Luka Vlajkovic had three quick points to give Melrose an early lead, while baskets from Cusolito and Holden Symonds made it a 7-3 game. Ryan Maher hit a trey that extended Melrose’s lead to 10-6. Wilmington stayed a game late in the first behind the shooting of Stephen Anthony, but Symonds hit back-to-back shots and Marino Preziosa hit back-to-back threes (an eight-point quarter for him), then Cusolito delivered a steal and layup that made it a 26-12 game at the end of one. Wilmington would never quite rebound after that.

In the second quarter, senior Harry Kelley began his onslaught of baskets over the night, hitting two consecutive hook shots. Rob Weisen and Jay Tucci added to that with a basket and three-pointer, respectively. Brendan Mcsorley had a sharp night with six points, including going 2-2 on the foul line late in the second. Charlie Borstel closed the half with a shot that gave Melrose a lead of 47-26.

The third quarter was dominated by the work of Vlajkovic, Cusolito and Kelley. Kelley had twelve points in the third and fourth quarter and was a big presence under the net, while Preziosa struck again with this third of three-pointers. Matt Morrisey hit a layup that drew a foul, earning three points, and Melrose showed glimpses of the future when AJ Norton-Jefferson and Chris Allen entered the game —much to the delight of the fans—and Jefferson made his minutes count when he hit a shot that made it 79-38. A Charlie Borstel basketball ended the rout, 81-40.

At 10-8, Melrose will now await the release of the Div. 2 North bracket and can be expected to begin their playoff run as early as Monday. Fans are encouraged to visit www.miaa.net and our Facebook and Twitter pages for up-to-date game information.