Opening playoff thriller goes to Marblehead, 67-64
By JENNIFER GENTILE
STONEHAM—The Melrose High boy’s basketball team saw their postseason end in the opening round of the MIAA Div. 2 playoffs when they fell in overtime to Marblehead, 67-64, in an otherwise thrilling game held on Feb. 28 at neighboring Stoneham High.
Melrose entered slightly favored as a #31 seed against #34 Marblehead and were scheduled to host their first home playoff game in nearly 10 years but instead relied on the generosity of Stoneham High to host as Melrose struggled with a gymnasium leak during the rainy evening.
The venue didn’t appear to hamper Melrose in any way, as they played a heartfelt, clean and very competitive game that came down to the wire even in their 5th quarter.
Melrose junior John Arens was simply unstoppable with 27 points, while senior captain Miles Nzui left Melrose High with one of his finest performances of the season with 16 total points and tremendous defense. And senior captain Connor Brophy showed experience on the floor and provided vital defense as well over the night along with some clutch three’s.
Melrose coach Dan Burns could say nothing but positive things about his resilient team after the game.
“What a year. I think the best lesson we have learned the last few years is to stay positive even when things are not going well. How we handle failure is a big part of the process. We started 0-3 and nobody ever panicked or pointed the finger.”
And he credited Marblehead for a tough game.
“Overall, I liked our matchup with Marblehead. I knew it would be a competitive game. They were very big and physical and we also have some tough kids and physicality so I knew it was going to be a tight one,” he said.
Melrose got off to a rather slow start, facing an early deficit of 1-13 and 11-15 at the end of the first, despite fine work by Arens and Brophy. Melrose would take their first lead of the game in the second thanks to layups from Nzui and Arens and a three from Owen Mujalli. Melrose would send Marblehead to the foul line often and it allowed them to take a 27-26 lead at half.
“Basketball is a game of runs,” said Burns. “We started the game out 13-1 and we fought back.”
John Arens and John Lamas had a strong third, but Melrose still faced a shortage in the third and entered the fourth down 37-42.
“Being down 4 going into the fourth wasn’t ideal but we were in no panic,” says Burns. “Everyone was playing so hard and well. So I had a feeling that going into the fourth that we were in good shape and our players knew that.”
The fourth quarter really told the story of the game. Down 37-43, Melrose launched an admirable comeback, starting with a Connor Brophy steal turned layup, then another by Miles Nzui, with a press that worked against the Magicians. Nzui was simply on fire with 8 quick points while Nolan Natale had a key lay up to make it 47-49. Another Nzui layup tied it up at 29 and Ben Perella had local fans on their feet with a trey to give Melrose their first lead of the half. A good rebound by Arens helped secure a Nzui layup to put Melrose up, 54-52. And a steal by Owen Mujalli, fed to Arens for a layup gave Melrose a secure 56-52 lead with a draining clock. After Marblehead tied it at 56, a key defensive rebound by Miles Nzui helped prevent a Magician buzzer beater.
“John and Miles were fantastic,” said Burns of their effort in the quarter. “They have both been with me since they were freshmen and sophomores. They both are great players and together they are an all star backcourt. They play extremely well together and feed off one another.”
Overtime proved hot and cold for Melrose. Marblehead scored quick and were sent to the foul line three times before a great three by Arens kept things tighter. Down 61-65, Melrose had just 25 seconds left when senior Ben Perella had fans on his feet with a trey that kept Melrose in it, 65-64. But Marblehead persevered in the final stretch and took the overtime win, 67-64.
“After the game I said to them, ‘You gave it everything you had. We gave it everything we had. There is nothing to be ashamed about for losing a great high school basketball game,” says coach Burns. “I’m going to miss it. I wish we were going back to practice tomorrow but we aren’t. You guys are a special group and it’s been a privilege for me to coach you all’.”
Melrose says goodbye to 7 seniors, captains Connor Brophy and Miles Nzui, and Eli Pezzini, Josh Lopes, Gino Preziosa, Johnny Veillard and Ben Perella. Says coach Burns, “The captains were phenomenal and each senior was all in with the team. They are all close friends and so that is what makes this group so special.”
“We return a lot of guys and so it will be exciting to build upon what this year’s team has done. We need a very important off season. The guys need to work. We don’t get better by becoming older. The boys need to work at it and make it a priority (I’ve always stressed that point). It certainly won’t be easy as we lose some key players to graduation, but we are hoping for some younger guys to help next season.”