EJ Perry had a question for those who predicted his Salem boys hoops squad would fall, at home, to Bishop Guertin in the quarterfinals of the Class L tournament.

“Do they know anything about basketball?” Salem took an 11-point first-quarter lead and easily won, 81- 61, on Saturday, March 14.

Indeed, it seemed unwise to pick BG against the two-time defending state champs, especially in their own gymnasium with Josh Jones on the court. And it didn’t take long for the standout senior to show those pundits just how wrong they were.

Jones opened the game by draining four straight three-point shots on his way to a 20-point night.

“The way Josh played tonight, especially in the first half to open it up – when he’s playing like that I have full confidence in what he can do and how he can do it,” said Perry. “He’s been starting games for four years. He’s won two championships, and he wants to leave his senior year with the opportunity to win a third.”

Jones’ quarterfinal performance allowed Alex LaRosa and Mike Kimball room to work, and they capitalized.

The latter notched 18 markers, and Kimball offered a gamehigh 23 points.

Though the Blue Devils were treated to the additional home playoff contest following a recent change in the tournament structure, Perry said his squad would have maintained a similar advantage at the University of New Hampshire’s Lundholm Gymnasium, where the quarterfinals have taken place in the past.

“I sort of like when you can go to UNH and play on the big floor and get the kids that experience,” he said. “We love that court. That’s our second home. They have our colors painted all over that gymnasium, probably because they know we play there so often, so we’re obviously excited about that.”

Perry and his boys won’t have to wait long.

The experienced Blue Devils were scheduled to face Manchester Memorial at UNH on Wednesday, March 18. The winner tips off against Trinity or Alvirne, at the same location, on Saturday, March 21, at 3 p.m.