Big Test at the Middle School

The Chinese character for "crisis" represents the blend of two, "danger" and "opportunity." Tonight at the Middle School gymnasium, the Lady Raiders (9-0) host unbeaten Central Catholic, a perennially strong, very tall, and talented team that comes in as the favorite.

Melrose has had some great battles with Central through the years, with Central winning the past three seasons (including two in the Division 2 North final), and Melrose winning the epic quarterfinal five set playoff in 2005 on the way to the state finals. Despite losing uber-setter Carolyn Eddy (now at UMASS-Lowell) and Katie Zenevich (a BC hoopster), Central returns even taller and just as talented.

Here are the keys to the game for Melrose:

• Defense...the intersection of 1) communication and 2) execution
• Bombs away. Hit through the ball. The good teams don't beat themselves; you need to beat them with relentless offense.
• Stay the course. Most of the games this season have been three set affairs for both teams. If it goes how I expect, the intensity and effort will be exhausting for both teams.

6 P.M. The Middle School. Two programs come in undefeated; only one will leave the same way.