This season, the Salem boys basketball team has faced an unfamiliar opponent – adversity.

Following back-to-back state championships, the Blue Devils find themselves in the middle of the Class L pack with a 3-2 record.

“This year’s start is definitely something different than the last two years,” said head coach EJ Perry. “I have told the team on many occasions that we are just off on our timing.”

It doesn’t help that Salem’s foes sometimes have their timing down pat. One of the two losses for the Blue Devils was to 4-1 Pinkerton, which hit a game-winning shot with four seconds remaining.

During that game on Jan. 6, point guard Alex La Rosa – averaging 11 points and seven assists – played 31 minutes. During his one minute on the bench, Pinkerton went on a 9-0 run.

Following the game, Perry made the decision to convert Marcus Baldwin to a point guard and shooting guard to add depth to the team.

“You can learn a lot from losses, as long as you look at the film and correct your mistakes,” said Perry. “The young kids, like La Rosa and (sophomore center) Joe Gallant, can especially learn a great deal, and they have.”

Salem has been spreading the scoring, with Mike Kimball leading the team with close to 19 points per game, while Josh Jones is second on the Blue Devils at 16 points per contest. Jones has carried the team at times. During a 71-60 victory over Spaulding, he single- handedly pulled the Blue Devils out of a 39-30 halftime deficit, going on an individual 15-0 run by hitting five straight three-pointers.

Kimball has also carried the load during Salem victories, scoring 29 points against Greater Lawrence and 31 vs. Dover. Inconsistency has hurt the Blue Devils, who have alternated a win with a loss during the first five games of the year.

“Our expectations never change … A trip to Durham and a third consecutive title are always a goal,” said Perry. “We have two players in Jones and Kimball who have won two championships, so I feel if we can weather this bump in the road, then we can make a playoff run.”