Salem Observer : basketball

Blue Devils’ run toward third straight title stopped in semifinals

Salem Editor — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 21:49:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

The last two years, tears routinely fell in the locker rooms of Salem opponents.

Not this year.

After consecutive Class L state championships, the Blue Devil boys basketball team fell just short of a third straight finals appearance, losing to third-seeded Manchester Memorial, 49-41, on Wednesday, March 18.

“We always talk about blood, sweat and tears, and tonight it was tears,” said Salem head coach EJ Perry. “I had to hold them back myself.”

After trailing throughout the contest, the Blue Devils showed the mettle that won them backto- back titles, cutting the deficit to three.

With 3:21 remaining, Josh Jones cut the deficit to 42-38 with a long-distance shot, and with 1:31 left, Alex LaRosa drilled a stepback trey to pull his team within 44-41.

LaRosa narrowly missed a last-minute shot before Jones’ attempt to tie the game with 47 seconds was three-quarters of the way down before it rimmed out, and Memorial sank its free throws down the stretch to seal its spot in the finals with top-seeded Trinity.

“I thought both of those shots were heading in the basket,” said Perry. “I’d take those shots every time, but they went back rim and front rim. I was happy with the way our kids came back.”

Jones fittingly led the Blue Devils in scoring with 16, while Michael Kimball, another important part of Salem’s Class L dominance, chipped in six points.

“It’s a sad day when I have to go in and not see them on the court,” said Perry, whose team finished the year at the University of New Hampshire’s Lundholm Gymnasium again this season. “For Jones and Kimball, this has been their second home. It’s definitely a different feeling this year.”

LaRosa, hoping to lead his team deep into the tournament as a senior, remains an integral part of the Blue Devils. The junior managed nine points against Memorial’s defense.

Memorial outrebounded Salem, 28-16, led by 27 points and nine boards from Jason Cheverfils. “We were trying to figure out a way to slow them down, whether to go in a zone and stretch them out or play man-to-man,” said Perry. “You want to be able to control your own destiny and be up by 10 instead of having to worry about coming back.”

Salem dominates Bishop Guertin, needs two wins for third crown

Salem Editor — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:18:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

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.

Salem, ousted in first round of playoffs, sets success in motion for ’10

Salem Editor — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 20:41:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

The young Salem girls basketball team fell to Dover, 55-44, in the first round of the Class L girls basketball tournament on March 4.

“It was a back-and-forth game until the fourth, when Dover stepped up and scored a bunch under tough pressure,” said Salem head coach Elizabeth Briggs. “They switched to a zone in the second quarter and second half, which stymied our offense a bit.”

Caitlin Peters led the offense, dropping in 15 points.

After losing Amanda Saab to a preseason knee injury, Briggs was forced to turn to her more youthful charges, who struggled at times but absorbed valuable experience as well.

“Younger players got significant time. Olivia Conners had to step into a leadership role one year earlier than required. Nora Galvin did as well,” said Briggs. “We will have some veteran players returning.”

Dover advanced to the quarterfinals, losing to topseeded Winnacunnet, 58-48, on Saturday, March 7.

Briggs emphasized the unwelcome loss of Saab did help lead the Blue Devils toward the postseason.

“Our team was redefined in November with Amanda’s injury,” said Briggs. “If the timing were different or later, sure, we would have been exposed as relying on her too heavily. That being said, it was our journey to figure out our identity.”

Victorious Salem stifles Guertin with second-half charge

Salem Editor — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:30:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

After three minutes in the locker room with her team at halftime of Salem’s home match-up with Bishop Guertin, head coach Elizabeth Briggs left and sat on the bench for some alone time.

“I didn’t have anything positive to say, and that’s not my style,” Briggs said with a laugh following the game on Tuesday, Jan. 27. “They had to own up to it, so they met by themselves and discussed what they wanted to do.”

Whatever that discussion involved, it worked.

The Blue Devils erased a nine-point halftime deficit and held the Cardinals to 14 second- half points, storming past Bishop Guertin, 50-43.

Salem improved to 4-5 without Amanda Saab, who has missed the entire season and was scheduled to have knee surgery on Wednesday, Jan. 28, officially ending any thoughts of a comeback.

But against Guertin, the Blue Devils’ comeback was a team effort. Nora Galvin, the only Salem player in double figures with 10 points, led a balanced attack.

Saab is one of just five seniors on the Salem roster, and a large number of minutes this season have gone to young players. Of the six top scorers vs. the Cardinals, one was a senior.

“The only positive thing about Amanda’s injury was that it came the second day of practice,” said Briggs. “The team was still forming, so we’ve had the chance to get some young players prepared for some big varsity minutes.”

Salem High School coach uses setbacks as learning tools for defending champs

Salem Editor — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 20:31:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

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.”

Stark just can’t keep pace with Pelham, which leaves Weare with basketball win

Salem Editor — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 01:49:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Justin Hojlo and Kevin LeBlond were in a shootout, but in the end it was Hojlo with more ammunition.

The two senior guards dueled during a Class I contest on Tuesday, Jan. 13, with Hojlo’s Pelham Pythons pulling away from LeBlond and the John Stark Generals, 88-71.

Hojlo poured in 35 points to help fight off LeBlond and his 27 points, as the Pythons improved to 5-1 in Class I play.

“They’re a very talented team,” said John Stark’s head coach, Michael Smith. “From what I’ve seen, they are one of the best, if not the best, team in Class I.”

Pelham opened up a 41-23 lead and appeared to have distanced itself from the home team. Moments later, LeBlond answered with back-to-back threes to cut the deficit to 10, and John Stark trailed by 12 at the half.

LeBlond, John Stark’s only returning starter from last season, scored six consecutive points to cut the lead to 66-61, but that was the closest approach for the 1-5 Generals.

According to Pelham’s mentor, Todd Kress, his crew’s response to Stark’s comeback was not surprising.

“It’s a matter of continuing the up-tempo style of play,” said Kress. “We want to make it so they may make a single run, but they aren’t able to sustain it. I think our team depth wore on them a little.”

Four players scored in double figures for Pelham, including Steve Spirou with 26 points. In the loss, John Stark’s Travis Matteuzzi notched his first double-double, scoring 16 points and adding 11 rebounds.

The game was fast-paced throughout, with both teams constantly running up and down the floor.

Kress said the way John Stark played while they were managing a second-half comeback looked familiar.

“They freed up their shooters and were basically beating us at our own game,” said Kress. “We had to keep pushing and hope to be the team standing at the end.”

Smith agreed the pace of the game was the key to his team’s comeback – and its prior and subsequent stumble.

“We got caught up a little in the speed of the game at the beginning,” said Smith. “We like to force the tempo, and did that for a while, but they are a little better at it than we are.”

Hojlo hit four three-pointers and was also successful on the interior.

“He has the ability at any time to get where he wants to be on the floor,” said Kress. “He’s included his teammates a lot more of late, especially early in the game. They can’t just key in on him. Then later in the game he is able to get out there and just do what he wants.”

Though Smith was happy with his team’s effort in cutting into a big lead, he said in the second half the Pythons left his group in the dust.

“Most teams like to play at about 50 mph,” said Smith. “We want to play at 70, and Pelham got to about 90.”

Salem boys make Lazarus House their project

Salem Editor — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 01:25:00 GMT

BY DARRELL HALEN

The freshman boys basketball team at Salem High School is off to a good start, having won their first two games of the season.

But the players are accomplishing something more important than the number of points they put on the scoreboard. They are donating food and clothing to help needy people in Lawrence, Mass., one of the country’s poorest cities.

Coach Brian Stanton’s 16 athletes are supporting Lazarus House Ministries as a community service during the basketball season.

So far, Stanton has made six trips to the organization with items brought to team practices by his players.

“We’re doing something good,” said forward Drew O’Shaughnessy, 15, who has donated canned goods from his family’s kitchen and some of his own clothing.

The Lazarus House, based in Lawrence, provides a broad range of services, including a homeless shelter, food pantry and free medical services to people in dire need of life’s basic necessities.

Most of Stanton’s players had never heard of the nonprofit charity based in a community not far from their homes when he pitched the idea of helping the organization to his team.

“I threw it out to the boys and they ran with it,” he said.

The players have brought in boxes of macaroni and cheese, stuffing, soups, cake mixes, sauces, canned vegetables and other nonperishable food items. Donated clothing has included flannel shirts, gloves, winter hats, sweaters, sweatshirts and more.

Most of the food is grouped with other foods distributed by Lazarus House to more than 300 families every week. Clothing is provided at the organization’s thrift stores.

“I think it’s awesome to see young adults getting exposed to people’s needs and supporting the community,” said Ken Campbell, the organization’s food coordinator. “They’ve responded incredibly well. It’s pretty nice.”

Helping is voluntary, not mandatory, yet every player has contributed food, clothing or both. Stanton is proud his players have responded enthusiastically to help the less fortunate.

He was especially touched when one of his players donated a sweatshirt the first night he spoke to the team about the importance of giving back to the community. He wants people to know that young people do care about others.

“Everyone has been bringing in what they can to help out,” said guard Jonathan Klecan, 14, who brought several bags of donations to a recent practice. “It’s not how much you give that’s important, it’s that you give something.”

For Stanton, instilling in his players the notion that it’s important to help other people is part of his job. He hopes that life lesson stays with his athletes for the rest of their lives. It’s something he learned from his father, Pete, a basketball coach, who encouraged his players to help others.

“I learned a long time ago to give back,” said Stanton who grew up in Salem, Mass. “I’m just trying to pass on good things I was taught.”

The team’s community service has drawn positive feedback from the parents of the players. Stanton would like to see parents bring their families to the agency’s soup kitchen to help out.

“I think that would impact them in a positive way,” said Stanton, adding that he wants his players to realize that they don’t have to donate money to help others. Giving of your time is good, too.

“I want the kids to know there’s something else (important) beyond basketball,” Stanton said. “There’s a big need out there.”

Stanton, who has been coaching 30 years, is in his fifth year of leading the freshman boys team. His theme for this season is “attitude is everything.”

Stanton has watched his players feel good about themselves by helping others. When kids feel good about themselves,Stanton said, they tend to do well academically and socially and play well on the court.

Star's absence means Salem must distribute the ball liberally

Salem Editor — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 02:04:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Two days into tryouts, things changed for the Blue Devils.

During the second day of auditions, the Salem High School girls basketball team lost Amanda Saab, its potent scoring threat, to an ACL injury that will keep her sidelined until January at the earliest.

Saab is going to attempt to put a brace on her knee and return to the floor to play in her senior season, an effort head coach Liz Briggs admires.

“I don’t know if she’ll be back at 100 percent, but what she can give us is a bonus. I applaud her courage to try to play,” said Briggs. “I’ve never had anyone try to brace and play. She won’t be the Amanda Saab that she’s comfortable with or could be, but that’s a bridge we’ll cross when we get there.”

Briggs said the team now looks to its guards to guide a fastpaced offense.

Caitie Peters runs the show from the point guard position, while Sarah Raye fills the other guard spot.

“(Peters) is a tough defender, looks to score when she has the chance, but really can create a lot out of the defense,” said Briggs. “(Raye) is a scrappy player, and is a little more aggressive offensively. If she doesn’t make that first shot, she’ll follow up for the rebound and make the second.”

Although the guards have different styles of play, Briggs said the two are similar in one way.

“I don’t know that they balance each other out,” said Briggs. “They’ve never been required to score points for us. If we can get offense out of them, then they’ll be doing a great job, but the majority of their offense comes from their defense.”

Olivia Connors and Kelsi Record are important low-post presences for the Blue Devils, while Briggs also said freshman Kerri White is expected to contribute in the post soon.

Gina Righini and Amanda Smigliani add depth to the guard position, while Jen Bujowski and Melissa Oullet look to add varsity experience at the forward position as the year progresses. Briggs also expects Amanda Vaudrieul to contribute as a shooter, bringing yet another option to the team.

That’s important while Saab is missing.

“I think a deep bench is certainly valuable in the long run. At some point coaches will face injuries,” said Briggs. “(Without Saab) we can’t create offense instantly. She could do that. We’ll have to work harder as a team to create offense by sharing the ball more.”

Salem boys basketball seeks third-straight crown with mix of new, returning talent

Salem Editor — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 01:49:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

If you need proof EJ Perry isn’t satisfied with two straight Class L basketball titles, just ask the athletes on his five-time defending state champion volleyball team.

Entering the 2009 high school hoops season, it should come as no surprise that Perry is licking his chops at the prospects of an eighth crown in five years. Who could blame him?

Yes, the Blue Devils graduated a handful of standouts from a unit that completed a 22-0 campaign last year – 32 straight overall. But fourth-year starter and first-team all-stater Josh Jones is back and arguably the leading candidate for Class L Player of the Year. Jones has already garnered more than 900 points and is a virtual lock to eclipse 1,000 sometime in January.

Co-captaining the team with Jones is junior Alex LaRosa, who takes over at point guard after backing up standout floor general Josh Frederico last season. A quartet of 6-foot-4 forwards vie to start under the basket. Senior Mark Adamson has the experience, but he and Sean Bergeron must hold off varsity newcomers Joe Gallant and Jason Kinney.

Others returning for another sweet taste of the Class L trophy include Mark Frounjian, Mike Kimball and Sam Shields, while Marcus Baldwin, Meme Okeke, Tyler Hutchinson, Kyle Henrick, Dan Tiner, Analdo Vasquez and Matt Cannone are determined to quench their collective palate as well.

Baldwin has the inside edge to start at shooting guard.

“We are definitely one of the favorites,” said Perry, who added Trinity, which the Blue Devils defeated the last two seasons in title tilts, stands in their way, along with Manchester Central, Nashua South and Winnacunnet, among others.

“The biggest obstacle we face is having only seven home games and 11 league road games, plus three more (out of class) road games.”

Salem High School basketball two wins away from perfect season

Salem Editor — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 20:27:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

It’s tough enough as defending state basketball champs and the lone undefeated squad in the Class L, but to face a rival in the quarterfinals – where the top seed generally earns a cakewalk against a .500 team – is almost unfair.

Pinkerton Academy of Derry, a team the Blue Devils beat at the Greater Lawrence Christmas Tournament and again on the road, 69-48, on Feb. 8, had the advantage of familiarity according to Salem’s coach, E.J. Perry.

Unlike the previous meetings, the underdogs matched Salem point for point throughout most of the first half. But the Blue Devils extended their lead to seven by the end of the third quarter and held off a late Astros’ push to secure a 56-47 victory on Sunday, March 9, at the University of New Hampshire’s Lundholm Gymnasium.

The win, following a first-round dismantling of Manchester Memorial on Thursday, March 6, moved Salem’s record to 20-0.

“It was like two boxers just fooling around in those first two quarters … (A) 20-18 (halftime lead) is not where we want to be. I love the 18, I don’t mind that, but we don’t want to be at 20,” said the coach of his sluggish first-half offense.

While junior Josh Jones put forth a typically fine effort, scoring 16 points, it was Kevin Sledge who provided the spark Perry sought.

Both in the second quarter and the third, Sledge came off the bench and ignited the offense with timely steals that created easy baskets and some flashy moves near the basket. He finished with nine points and seven assists.

“Sledge brought what he brings every game – energy, enthusiasm … Of course we can do without the no-look passes, but when they’re completed, they look pretty good,” said Perry. “I felt like we could have controlled the tempo a little better, but that’s when you get Sledge in there … There’s the energy.”

In spite of his squad’s uneven performance, Perry said the experience was good for the players.

“They were a little tentative. You get up here, and you know, what people said at the beginning of the year is true now – that everything is new. We had five different guys, other than Jones, who were on that floor,” said Perry. “For a lot of guys it’s their first time really playing here with the bright lights, the bigger crowds, everything like that.”

Still, Lundholm Gymnasium is not unfamiliar to the Blue Devils, who currently maintain a 30- game winning streak, including three straight victories in Durham last postseason.

“I call UNH a second home,” said Perry. “Even though it’s a different environment, I love coming up here, and the kids love it, too.”

On Wednesday, March 12, Salem was scheduled to face 2006 state champ Manchester Central, which the Blue Devils beat, on Feb. 22, 63-47. A trip to the finals, set for Saturday, March 15, awaited the winner. Tipoff is 3 p.m. at UNH.

Game notes

Against Pinkerton, Michael Kimball scored 12 points, Dan Kinney contributed eight and Shawn Stoodley and Josh Frederico added six and five, respectively. Stoodley led the team with 12 rebounds and Frederico pulled in seven.

In the team’s 61-42 preliminary- round win against Memorial, Jones paced the scorers with 20 points. However, Perry pointed to the key contributions of Alex LaRosa and Mark Adamson. LaRosa, whom Perry called a zone-buster, scored six points by hitting both three-point attempts, dished two assists and grabbed three rebounds. Perry said the 5- foot-8 spark plug forced Memorial to abandon its zone defense by hitting those two long-range shots.

Adamson, like LaRosa, hit a big three-pointer that gave the hosts their biggest lead of the game. He finished with five points, six rebounds and two blocked shots.

Flawless regular season secured, Salem High School shoots for perfection

Salem Editor — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:28:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

Like the NFL’s New England Patriots and Oyster River in New Hampshire Class I, the Salem boys basketball team finished the regular season undefeated.

By thrashing Alvirne in Hudson, 73-59, on Friday, Feb. 29, the Blue Devils completed their schedule with an 18-0 record, the first season without blemish in school history. It also marked the 28th straight Class L victory for the locals.

Now, coach E.J. Perry is focused on exterminating the upset bug that plagued the aforementioned squads.

Oyster River fell, 45-44, to No. 9 Pembroke in the Class I quarterfinals, and the Pats tale is already one of cautionary legend.

“Upsets happen, and it is sad for Oyster River, but this is a focused group who has dealt with (the pressure of being the favorite) in the past,” said Perry of his defending Class L champs. “We have played in close games and just have to be ready for the other team’s best game. My worry in the past has always been with taking a team lightly, but once you make the playoffs, then you know that every team is good, so we will try to avoid that.”

While Perry admitted there is little he can do to take the pressure off the players once they are on the court, he said their continued focus on execution, rather than the final result, has keyed their success thus far.

The effort against Alvirne was the most recent example. Josh Jones, who Perry said is a leading candidate for Class L player of the year, led a balanced attack with 20 points and five rebounds.

Shawn Stoodley, with 14 points and 17 rebounds, helped shut down 6-foot-5 Alvirne standout Brennan Donnelly. And Kevin Sledge hammered the host’s defense, coming off the bench in the second half, with Salem leading 32-28, and initiating a 10-2 run with his up-tempo play and sleek passing. He finished with 10 points and seven assists.

A week after playing 32 minutes against Manchester Central, Josh Frederico was on the court for 31 minutes against Alvirne. Sean Bergeron, forced into action when both Stoodley and Dan Kinney ran into foul trouble, tallied two points, four rebounds and one “spectacular” block, said Perry, and more importantly, gave his coach confidence to turn to him in the postseason.

For the second straight season, Salem enters the Class L tournament as the No. 1 seed. The Blue Devils host Manchester Memorial on Thursday, March 6, at 7 p.m. in the preliminary round.

Should they win, their quarterfinal matchup, against either No. 8 Pinkerton or No. 9 Winnacunnet, is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 9, at the University of New Hampshire’s Lundholm Gymnasium in Durham.

“Once in the playoffs, you can’t fear anything,” said Perry. “Some people said that it would have been good to lose one, but I disagree. Play your best every night and good things will happen.”

Second-half push sends powerful Salem past winless Concord

Salem Editor — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 20:42:00 GMT

By Matt Schooley

The Concord High School girls basketball team was hungry for its first win of the season, but Salem High School wasn’t letting that get in the way of its fast start to the year, cruising to a 63-47 road victory.

Concord kept the contest on Friday, Jan. 25, within shouting distance into the halftime break, but the Blue Devils pulled away to improve to 9-1 on the season.

Amanda Saab turned in a solid game for the visiting Blue Devils, playing especially well in the final quarter to push the Salem lead to as many as 23.

Despite playing a winless opponent, Salem head coach Elizabeth Briggs said her team faced a tough task.

“It was a battle tonight. They’re hungry, and I was impressed by how they played that third quarter,” she said. “In the second quarter we sat back and our defensive effort was lacking, and we let them back into it. In the third quarter we were on a mission to come out with intensity and work harder.”

Saab scored six points in the fourth, including a breakaway layup that pushed the Blue Devil lead to its peak.

“(Amanda Saab) really took over the fourth and made a difference,” said Concord head coach *** Pratt. “She’s a nice player. She’s a difference maker, and she really was one in this game.”

Concord’s closest margin of loss this season has been 11 points, leading to the Crimson Tide’s current 0-10 record.

“They were 0-9 coming in, but they were scary as heck,” said Briggs. “We were certainly not overlooking Concord. We maintained the lead with some key subs, and were able to come out with a win.”

Kelsi Record and Sarah Raye came off the bench to play well on both ends of the floor for Salem.

Salem reached double figures in victories following a 57-55 win against visiting Bishop Guertin on Tuesday, Jan. 29. The Lady Blue Devils entertain 8-3 Merrimack on Friday, Feb. 1.

Record unblemished, SHS still driven to improve

Salem Editor — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 21:17:00 GMT

By Jerry Liptak

SALEM – Their perfect season intact, the boys of Salem basketball let out an almighty roar in the home-team locker room after overwhelming Nashua North on Friday, Jan. 18, 72-57.

Coach E.J. Perry had just given them the weekend off.

Josh Jones, the team’s junior sharpshooter, said Saturday, Jan. 19, was Salem’s first day off since the season began.

The Blue Devils earned it.

Ahead 35-29 at halftime against North, Salem increased the speed and intensity of the game, scoring 20 straight points in the first 5 minutes, 49 seconds of the second half with a relentless full-court press, squashing any chance of a Titan upset.

That Salem effort – if only a glimpse of what Perry wants for a full 32 minutes – followed a 27-point shellacking of Keene on Thursday, Jan. 17.

And that Salem venture succeeded a most improbable win: down five points with 28 seconds remaining while facing the 2-3 Dover Green Wave, Perry said Kevin Sledge sank a pair of three-pointers to give the locals a 62-61 victory on Tuesday, Jan. 15.

“I told him I can’t stand this ‘green’ place anymore. Either hit the three and we win it, or we go home (with the loss),” said the coach.

The recent stretch – three wins in four days – prompted the energetic Perry to ease off a bit. Of course, it was back to work on Monday, Jan. 21, the first of four straight practice days during which Perry said he’ll continue to pound home this idea: his talented charges must play defense – spirited defense – for 32 minutes.

“We’re a funny team,” said Perry. “When the offense is clicking, the defense starts coming up. Most teams work in reverse – the offense feeds off the defense. We’re the opposite.”

That was clear against North. Salem coasted to a six-point lead at the break, but North scored 24 of its 29 points on very easy shots, and the hosts’ attack sputtered in turn.

Perry said he couldn’t repeat some of what he told the team at halftime. Jones, standing nearby during the post-game discussion, smiled knowingly at this.

But fine interior passing from the 6-foot-4 Dan Kinney to the 6-foot-2 Shawn Stoodley produced a deuce to open Salem’s second half.

Then Michael Kimball and Jones unloaded. Three-pointers, wing shots, assists and layups kept coming … and coming.

The Blue Devils’ frenetic full-court pressure induced numerous North miscues.

When Sledge fed Kinney for another easy bucket, it was 55-29 Blue Devils.

That means North outscored Salem the rest of the contest, 28-17.

Yes, Salem’s bench players were usually on the floor. Still, expect Perry to use that late-game lull as motivation in coaxing the group to reach its lofty potential.

• • •

Five players reached double figures in scoring for the Blue Devils. Jones netted 17 points. Kimball, who made eight of 12 free throws, added 14.

Sledge came off the bench for 12 points, hitting three more three-pointers. Kinney produced 11 markers, and Stoodley, who selflessly drew a charge with his team ahead 21 points, added five field goals for 10.

Mark Adamson banged in a late-game three-pointer, point guard Joshua Frederico made three free throws, and Alex LaRosa also hit a charity shot.

In opener, champs repeat (most of) last year’s strong effort

Salem Editor — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:59:00 GMT

By Matt Schooley

They haven’t played since leaving the court as state champions last season, but the boys of Salem High School basketball team showed no rust in their 2007-08 opener.

Josh Jones and Kevin Sledge led a balanced offensive attack for the Blue Devils, who defeated Timberlane 91-67 on Friday, Dec. 14, at Salem.

Jones scored 17 of Salem’s 25 first-quarter points, and Sledge came off the bench for 16 first-half points, showing late-season form.

“Kevin looked like he left the championship game and hopped right back into those shoes again,” said Salem head coach E.J. Perry. “Jones showed out there why he’s the best player in the state.”

Sledge ended up with 18 in the game, while Jones led all Blue Devils’ scorers with 30.

Despite the easy win, Perry wasn’t entirely pleased with his charges’ performance, giving the team a long post-game speech in the locker room.

“The offense was clicking in the first half, and I think we showed we have four guys who can shoot the ball, but we’re going to be in situations where we need to play defense just like last year,” said Perry. “We are going to have an ‘X’ on our back, and that’s what that meeting was about.”

Timberlane stuck with the defending Class L champions, thanks in large part to the play of game-leading scorer Drew Smith, who poured in 32.

Salem led 25-19 after the first quarter, but outscored the Owls 31-16 in the second period and never led by less than 14 the rest of the game.

In addition to his 18 points, Sledge brought energy, defense and unselfish play to the floor. He made several no-look passes, dove into the stands for loose balls and his up-and-under lay up helped stop Timberlane’s momentum when the lead dwindled to 14.

“Sledge is the microwave,” said Perry. “He comes in, heats up and something happens. He slowed their best player down on defense as well. He’s a tremendous athlete. He’s one of the best football players in the state, and a good basketball player as well.”

Salem beat Trinity, 49-45 in overtime, on Tuesday, Dec. 18, in a rematch of last year’s Class L title game.

Game notes

In addition to Jones and Sledge, Michael Kimball netted 23 points for Salem, while Josh Frederico and Dan Kinney both scored six points.

State champs need even bigger contributions from returners

Salem Editor — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 21:17:00 GMT

By Ryan O’connor

Now coach E.J. Perry has the unenviable task of finding not only someone to replace Savage’s clutch play, but also filling the holes created by the departure of three all-state cagers.

“We try to reload rather than rebuild, and that’s what we’ve done fairly well,” said Perry of his 10-year tenure. “The difference is not having a Stephen Savage, who was able to create for himself and was able to get big rebounds. If we ever had to go to a guy, he was there. We need someone like him to emerge and be that player for us this year.”

It’s not that Salem doesn’t return plenty of talent, said Perry, who added the pieces are in place for consecutive titles. It’s just a matter of his team’s ability to consistently meet its short-term goals and provide itself another opportunity.

“One of our main goals is to make it to Durham (for the Class L tournament quarterfinals), which we have done six consecutive years going,” said Perry. “Our motto in the locker room is, ‘The road to Durham goes through Salem,’ and we want to make sure we’re there every year, good or bad.”

It all starts with Josh Jones, who has already scored 550 points entering his third year. Perry said the junior will almost surely eclipse 1,000 points in his career.

Aside from the prolific scoring threat, Salem also returns Dan Kinney, the 6-foot-4 player of the year in Division I volleyball, who now has five state titles on his resume - four straight in volleyball – and takes over as the Blue Devils starting center.

“That’s why he’s our captain,” said Perry. “He has five championship rings, and that just speaks volumes about the type of kid and type of player he is.”

Another captain, junior Mike Kimball, has made huge strides as he enters his third year at the varsity level.

“He was really our seventh man last year, and now this is his opportunity to start from the beginning of the season,” said Perry. “He, by far, had the best summer of any of the kids. He’s just ready for the season.”

Sean Stoodley, known for his physical play on the gridiron, started for the eventual state champs early last season before breaking his hand.

Though the 6-foot-2 forward returned for the title contest, Perry said he looks forward to seeing Stoodley play an entire season in the starting lineup.

Taking over at point guard is Josh Frederico, who received spot starts last season.

Returning as the team’s sixth man is Kevin Sledge, also known for his football prowess.

“He was one of main reason we won the championship game last year,” said Perry. “Sledge really thrives in that role. When he comes in, he makes an instant impact on both offense and defense.”

Mark Addison, Salem’s 6-foot-4 sniper at shooting forward, keys the Blue Devils’ outside attack.