First title in eight years after upsetting Wakefield

Published in the February 16, 2018 edition

By JENNIFER GENTILE

MELROSE—After eight long years, the Melrose High girls basketball team is one again a Middlesex League champion. It’s a sweet reunion for Melrose, who clinched the Middlesex Freedom League on Tuesday, Feb. 13 in a winner-take-all victory at home against top dog Wakefield (13-4), 65-55, to improve their season record to 14-3 on the eve of playoffs. 

Both Melrose and Wakefield entered the Melrose Middle School gym with records of 13-3 and looking to secure league title, but only one would walk away 14-3. That honor belonged to Melrose, who saw Lily Cunningham (17 pts) and Peri MacDonald (16 pts) combine for 33 points to help reverse a 17-8 deficit in the first quarter. Melrose was sharp in all facets of the game, with Sam Smith sparking tremendous defense against a tough Warrior team, Sam Dewey leading in rebounds (12), and Alexis Doherty in command of the floor with 10 points. Overall, Melrose fired on all cylinders, giving a packed home crowd a memorable night. 

THE MELROSE Lady Raider hoop team clinched the ML Freedom title with a 65-55 victory over Wakefield to improve to 14-3.
(Donna Larsson photo)

For coach Bill Hirschfeld, it was a moment to savor, particularly on a Senior Night that honored his two outgoing upperclassmen, Alexis Doherty and JaNajia Walker-Holliman. The victory also avenged Melrose’s one-point loss to the Warriors in January.

“This was probably our most complete game of the season,” said the coach. “I think this team is conditioned for comebacks, they always accept a challenge and it was important to keep a cool head with a large crowd. This was just a good win that we wanted for our seniors.”

Melrose has seen a few appearances in playoffs since 2010 but has not reached a winning level that has matched their 2000 era dominance. But they sit pretty close now. Melrose’s only losses this season have come to the Warriors and Div. 1 standouts Belmont (15-2) and Woburn (14-1). 

For Hirschfeld, this young team is peaking at the right time. “We’re just more of a complete team than earlier this season. This team sticks together, support each other and tonight they really proved it.”

The Lady Raiders opened the game in a deficit of 11-4 as Wakefield’s Allee Purcell and Hannah Butler poured on the points. Melrose was down 17-8 at the end of the first and looking for answers. 

Melrose turned the game around in the second quarter on a tremendous run sparked by Melrose’s Sam Smith (9 pts), who tore the floor apart with a number of steals and assists that aided shooters Alexis Doherty and Sam Dewey. They flipped the script with a 9-0 run before a three-pointer from Lily Cunningham tied the game up at 17 a piece. Peri MacDonald brought Melrose closer at 19-20 and another trey by Lily Cunningham tied it up 22-22.

Melrose took their first lead of the game with a Peri MacDonald layup at 24-22 and then never lost the lead. MacDonald struck again to make it a 26-24 game before Abby Cunningham entered the game with two fast break baskets that helped Melrose keep the edge at 30-29. Wakefield hit a basket near the buzzer at the half that brought the game to a 31-31 draw going into the break.

Sam Dewey came up big for Melrose in the third with a number of points on the foul line, while Sam Smith also shined there. Lily Cunningham maintained a lead of 45-38 for Melrose, who was sent to the foul line early and often in the 4th. Wakefield battled back from a 62-49 deficit to 65-55 but would stay out of reach. As the buzzer signaled, excited Melrose players erupted on the floor, celebrating a long-sought title.  

And while the banners in the gym will be updated, Melrose still has one game to play before playoffs begin. They travel to Burlington on Thursday to finish the regular season. Melrose topped the Red Devils previously in January. 

Playoff brackets are expected to be announced Feb. 23. Expect Melrose, along with Wakefield, to rank high in seeding in the Div. 2 North.