Peddy reaches hoop milestone
Before Melrose's 75-50 win over Burlington last Friday, girls' basketball coach Dave Brady jokingly told star Sheylani Peddy to get her 1,000th point out of the way because he was sick of hearing about it. Peddy, who entered the game 22 points shy of the mark, obliged. The junior point guard poured in 22 points in the first half, on her way to a 27-point effort, to become only the third Melrose High girls' basketball player to reach the milestone. Shannon Kirwan (1,313) and Quiana Copeland (1,008) are the others.
Peddy could have reached 1,000 sooner, according to Brady. With Melrose, which was 15-0 entering the week, crushing the competition, Peddy hasn't played much in the second half this season. And when she does play, shooting is not her first priority. Peddy's scoring is actually down this year to 15.9 points per game from 19 last season.
''She looks to pass first and she is very unselfish," said Brady. ''She probably could have done it a few games ago, but she passes first and gets everyone involved. That is the type of player she is."
The Roxbury resident, who attends Melrose through the Metco program, is averaging 6.7 assists per game. The Red Raiders have a balanced attack. Twin forwards Paula and Karen Sen are each scoring in double figures, and guards Cara Lynch and Lynley DeAmato are hovering near 10 points per game.
Peddy's selfless play is the only thing that can stop her from becoming Melrose's all-time scorer. ''I'd like to see her shoot more," said Brady.
Patton a force at Conn. College
Lynnfield's Gabe Patton, a former St. Mary's of Lynn hoopster, has led a remarkable turnaround at Connecticut College, where he is the captain of the men's basketball team. After back-to-back 5-18 seasons, Connecticut College was 12-10 entering its regular-season finale with Wesleyan on Saturday.
The Camels were clinging to the eighth and final spot in the New England Small College Athletic Conference, a half-game ahead of Middlebury, which has two league games left. Connecticut College would clinch a spot in the NESCAC Tournament with a win over Wesleyan, which is winless in the conference. The Camels hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over Middlebury by virtue of their 68-67 win on Jan. 13. Patton, a 6-foot-4-inch junior guard, has started all 22 games, averaging 6.4 points and 3.6 rebounds.''He has a tremendous work ethic," said Camels coach Tom Satran. ''He has stayed focused on improving his game, and it has paid off."
Fullerton tops field at state track meet
Haverhill's Pat Fullerton was the only local winner at the Massachusetts State Track Coaches Association Elite Meet, which was held last Sunday at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center in Boston. Fullerton won the mile, clocking a time of 4 minutes 19.39 seconds. The top local female finisher was Marblehead's Alex Haller, who tied for second in the high jump, clearing 5 feet 1 inch.
Gloucester takes conference title
The Gloucester High boys' indoor track team captured its 11th Northeastern Conference title in 13 seasons under head coach Jim Munn with a 60-21 victory over Beverly last Thursday. The Fishermen finished the regular season 11-0, getting first-place finishes from Jesse Creameans (hurdles), Isaac Rosa (55-meter dash), Liam Anastasia-Murphy (mile), David Brooks (high jump), Zack Kendall (300), Mike Fava (1000), Austin Souza (2-mile), and Mario Peritore (shot put). Munn said this season's title was particularly meaningful.
''Our freshmen and sophomores far outnumber our juniors and seniors, so to accomplish so much this winter has really been special," said Munn.
Gloucester is 114-3-1 over the last 13 seasons.
3 nominated as All-Americans
Three north-of-Boston players have been nominated for the 2006
Christopher L. Gasper can be reached at cgasper@globe.com.
