Nicole Melious, Hoopers NY Edge Bronx Mavericks Late in Quarterfinal Game in Janice Pro Classic

Just like she has done so many times during her illustrious basketball career, Nicole Melious saved her best for a down-the-stretch run.

The soon-to-be La Salle University freshman drained the last eight points of the game to give the Hoopers NY the victory, 58-49, over the Bronx Mavericks Saturday at the Janice Carter Pro League Classic college division quarterfinals at Tompkins Square Park in Manhattan.

“Nicole did what she does. She took over the game,” said head coach Dan Melious, Nicole’s dad. “She’s done is forever. When it’s time, it’s time.”

Nicole Melious, a former star guard at Wagner High School on Staten Island, scored a total of 27 points, while rising juniors Jordanna Schrecker (New Dorp/Staten Island) and Emma Sollenne (St, Luke’s/Conn.) contributed 11 and nine points, respectively.

But Dan Melious said it was a total team effort.

“Also, Emma Sollenne is a great two-way player. (She) defends, shoots and can finish,” he explained. “Her and Grace Ziogas were knocking down threes, (which) makes the game easy. Stella Ziogas was phenomenal. She played great defense, pushed the ball and had minimal turnovers. She’s going to be big time.”

The semifinals will take place Sunday at Tompkins Square Park at 1:15 p.m.

Note: If you click the above Amazon link and make a purchase, I may earn a commission to help support my continuing efforts to provide free content to my growing readership. Thank you for reading and supporting independent journalism, as well as the athletes that so deserve it.

Also, please check out my newly published children’s book, Cha-Cha Chicken Sneeze, on Amazon. Please click the above link to read more about the book and purchase.

— Jerry Del Priore

Photo: Courtesy of Dan Melious

From left to right: Emma Sollenne, Alliyah Lambo, Stella Ziogas, Grace Ziogas, Jordanna Schrecker, Nicole Melious and Siniyah Wilkerson.