Melrose’s 53-49 win over Burlington punches ticket

Published in the February 23, 2018 edition

THE MELROSE Red Raider basketball team enjoyed Senior Night and a playoff-clinching win over Burlington on Feb. 16. Pictured are seniors (from left) Joe Stanton, Mike Fennell, Anthony Collozzo, Frantz Pierrot, Charlie Stanton, Mohammed Sheriff, Dylan Vienot and Pete Wieson. (Steve Karampalas photo)

By JENNIFER GENTILE

MELROSE—It was down to the wire for the 2018 Melrose Red Raider boy’s basketball team, who clinched a post season spot in the Div. 2 North field following a 50-32 win over Burlington on Feb. 15. Melrose remains 11-8 on the season as they await pairings to be released this Saturday.

According to head coach Mike Kasprzak, while its been an inconsistent season, Melrose is showing some of its best defense in decades. The Red Raiders are holding opponents to an average of 47 points, a feat not seen in several decades. “This is been one of our better years in defense, and that’s something we’re proud off.”

On Feb. 9 Melrose bested Watertown, 41-35, limiting a team who was scoring 70 points per game while also holding their All Star John Corte, to ten points.

But Melrose knows in order to make a dent in the Div. 2 North field they must generate more offense. “The kids know we could do better [on offense] and as we going into playoffs we have to find the ‘third man’ in shooting to really see any success,” says the coach. 

That offense has been led by senior Joe Stanton, who recently broke a single-season record in three-pointers, with 58, and the team’s single-game three point record of 6. “Joe came into his senior year with less numbers and really piled them on this winter, so that speaks to his season.”

Melrose has also seen solid contributions from sophomore Luka Vlajkovich, who had 14 points and 10 rebounds against Burlington and 11 points and 9 rebounds against Lynnfield, who Melrose played and fell to on February 19. “Luka is playing his best basketball right now,” says his coach. “He’s a young player and we’re lucky to have him two more years.”

While Melrose had a mid-season slump, they turned things around with the return of Frantz Pierrot, who was on the bench with an ankle injury. “Having his back was helped us. He doesn’t have the stats necessary but he is the glue of the team, the high energy guy we need.”

He continues. “When we are healthy, we are 10-4 going into the playoffs.” 

The Div. 2 North field, he contends, is unpredictable and vastly talented. “It can be top-heavy, some records can be deceiving. Brighton may not even be ranked #1. We probably will be play against anyone from North Andover and Masco, to familiar teams like Arlington and Belmont. We’ve done our scouting and will practice hard this week to be ready.” 

Melrose could play in the opening round as early as Monday. Fans are encouraged to visit www.miaa.net for up-to-date tournament. information.