The undefeated Melrose High School boys' basketball team plays host to no. 16 Arlington in the second round of the North Division 2 tournament, according to the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) website
Melrose (20-0), earning a bye in the first round for being the top-ranked team in the MIAA tournament, takes on Arlington (11-12) at 7 p.m. Thursday at Melrose High.
During the regular season, Melrose was 12-0 at home and 2-0 against Arlington, as they beat the Spy Ponders 59-48 Jan. 26 in Arlington and 58-56 Feb. 19 in Melrose, according to the Boston Globe website.
In the Freedom Division of the Middlesex League, Melrose had the second-highest scoring offense (62.5 points per game), while holding their opponents to a league-low 50.1 points per game, according to the Globe.
Meanwhile, Arlington averaged 61.3 points per game on offense, while allowing 61 points per game on defense in the Middlesex League's Liberty Division, according to the Globe.
Arlington advanced to the second round after beating no. 17 Tewksbury (9-12) 68-52 in Arlington in their preliminary round game Monday night, according to the MIAA.