Salem Observer : salem high school

Family business: football

Salem Editor — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:30:00 GMT

Three generations of Campbells take the mike at SHS

BY DERRICK PERKINS

It’s not love of the game that’s drawn three generations of Campbell men to the high school football broadcast booth, but a bond to each other and their hometown.

Bernard Howard Campbell was still playing slide trombone in the Salem High School band when his father, Bernard Milton Campbell, went on air as a color commentator with Mike Tuccolo in the early ’70s for public access cable. Tuccolo, a teacher and coach at the school, did the play-by-play.

When the elder Campbell, a 30-year veteran of the School Board, died in 1996, Bernard took his father’s seat, both behind the microphone and on the board.

“We’ve covered the ground for 40-odd years between my dad and me,” he said. “It was really neat to be with my dad and Mike. I just enjoyed it.”

Campbell has spent countless hours compiling high school football stats, yet doesn’t consider himself an avid fan of the game. Rather, broadcasting gave him time with his father and now with his son. He also savors showcasing high school athletics.

“It’s more the connection with Salem and Salem High School,” Campbell said. “When they were doing senior superlatives, I was the guy who did the most for Salem High School ... This is my home.”

Campbell’s son Bernie, a drama teacher at Laconia High School, shares his father’s Blue Devil pride. The younger Campbell doesn’t get many opportunities to come home for games, but when he does, he joins his father in the broadcast booth.

“It’s a lot of fun to work with my dad. He’s so very knowledgeable about the game,” said Bernie. “I enjoy coming down and spending time with my dad. Before I even got into broadcasting, I went to just about every game with him growing up.”

Bernie can remember his father compiling team stats late into the night on the eve of a game, collecting three thick binders documenting the program’s history. At the flip of a page, Bernard can tell you Salem has a 5-22 record against Pinkerton Academy, their rival in the recent playoff game.

Campbell’s 30 years as the voice of Salem football was honored earlier this year with an induction into the high school’s hall of fame.

It’s a testament to his dedication, said Tuccolo, who called plays from the booth with all three Campbell men before retiring in 2002.

“(Bernard) doesn’t do it for the ego or anything. He enjoys football and Salem and started this little statistical book with everything in the world in it,” he said. “The big thing working with those guys is they had a tremendous history. You get in between plays in dead spots and you had things to talk about from way back ... That continuum is very, very important.”

The Campbells want to see their family tradition continue, but time will tell. Bernie enjoys broadcasting sports, but it’s not something he cares to envision doing without his father.

“If I had the opportunity to come back to Salem and do it, I would be thrilled to do it,” he said. “It’s something I’d do for Salem every year and I might very well, but I don’t see myself getting involved with it independent of dad.”

Booze on Salem High School grounds; Nine arrested

Salem Editor — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:39:00 GMT

BY DERRICK PERKINS

Nine high school students from two communities were taken into police custody on alcohol-related charges for allegedly drinking before a school dance on Sept. 26.

Police said school administrators contacted the authorities after questioning the students who displayed “obvious signs of impairment” as they made their way into the Salem High School Freshmen Reception between 7 and 9 p.m.

Authorities believe the students had been drinking in the school parking lot and tried to sneak some of the liquor into the event using water bottles. Several bottles of alcohol, including rum, were recovered in three of the students’ vehicles, prompting authorities to tow the vehicles, according to Capt. Shawn Patten.

Three other students were taken into custody, but did not face charges after officers administered blood alcohol tests.

Patten said the police department has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to underage drinking, to which he attributed the low number of similar incidents in the past.

“Salem High School administrators and the (school resource) officers ... work together to try and prevent these things from happening,” he said. “We do a good job, and we don’t see a lot of those problems. Like any other community, it happens, but we’re not overridden with it.”

Superintendent Michael Delahanty said that while the alleged behavior on the part of the students taken into custody was unfortunate, it was not uncommon when several hundred adolescents come together under one roof.

“There were about 800 or 900 students in attendance and one of the things that I’ve said regularly and repeatedly, you can’t go to too many places and have that number of adolescents in one big room and not have problems unless there is a tremendous amount of respect for the school and the culture of the school,” he said.

“There was no improper behavior during the dance, it was just the misfortune of several students ... who had been drinking some type of alcohol before getting to the dance.”

Delahanty praised the actions of school administrators on the scene who promptly brought in the authorities after suspecting alcohol-use among some of the students. He said they acted without hesitation even as they knew the incident would bring bad publicity upon the school.

According to Delahanty, the freshmen reception has been an annual fundraising event for the senior class over the last 15 or so years and generally includes a series of short skits or performances before becoming a dance. Students caught consuming alcohol or any other illegal substance before or during a school event face automatic consequences.

Each of the students will serve school suspensions of varying lengths, he said. Emily Anyon, 17, Elanor Bouraphael, 17, Samir Ramey, 17 and David Welch, 17, all of Salem, are facing unlawful possession of alcohol charges, along with Kimberly Foote, 17, Kina Wilbur Kamien, 18, and Justin Shepley, 18, all of Windham. Kamien was also charged with transportation of alcoholic beverages along with Christine Hill, 17, and Brad Morisseau, both of Salem.

All of the students were released into the custody of their parents either at the school or at the police station, authorities said.

Students brush up, act out in Salem summer school classes

Salem Editor — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:29:00 GMT

BY DARRELL HALEN

Alex Marchioni earned a C-plus in Algebra II last spring. That was good enough to pass the class, but she needed at least a B-minus to move on to pre-calculus.

So instead of sleeping in, Marchioni is spending many of her summer mornings reviewing roots, powers, radicals and other concepts as she repeats the algebra course in summer school.

The individual attention she’s receiving from her teacher in a classroom of only seven students is paying off.

“I’m doing good,” said Marchioni, who will be a Salem High School senior this fall. “My tests have been in the high 80s and in the 90s.” The Salem School District’s summer program annually draws students of different ages and reasons for being there.

In addition to math, courses being offered to high school students include English, Spanish, social studies and science courses.

Students can take classes to make up for a course they failed, meet an upper-level course prerequisite, make up for a failed course, earn credit for a half-credit class or attain a better understanding of a subject matter before advancing to a higher-level course.

Math teacher Christine Jefferson said her students work independently and at their own pace, but they cover all the content as they would in a regular classroom.

“There are no cutting corners in my class,” said Jefferson, who helps students by clearing up misconceptions they have with material, making math easier for them. “(The material) is nothing new to them. There are no shocks.”

Like Marchioni, junior Mike Esposito, 16, is repeating a class in hopes of achieving a better grade. He earned a D-plus in Spanish I and needs at least a C so he can enroll in Spanish II.

“I had to come back here to boost it up,” said Esposito, whose class meets for two-and-a-half hours over 27 days.

Studying material he’s seen before and the small size of his class – he’s one of only five students – works in his favor. The teacher, he said, can recognize where students are weak in the subject.

The importance of attendance is highly stressed during the program. A student is not allowed to be absent more than twice if the course is being taken for grade improvement or credit.

Middle school students can take classes in math, language arts, social studies and science. Those classes meet one hour every day over five weeks. Most students are taking a class in order to be promoted to the next grade.

Elementary school students can sharpen their skills in classes that meet one hour three days a week over five weeks. Classes are being offered in reading and math. Parents were encouraged to find out from their child’s teacher what skills they should improve on.

The summer program also offers keyboarding to students completing grades 4 through 8, and art to kids completing grades 1 through 8.

There are also three-day mini courses for elementary school students: “Fun with Science,” “Galloping Gourmets,” and “Budding Biologists.”

In the science course, students made several experiments, including building their own miniature volcanoes. The volcanoes were made of paper mache and were painted. By using a few simple ingredients, youngsters caused their volcanoes to “erupt.”

Amber DaRosa, 10, served as the class assistant for her mother, Amy, who taught the class. She’ll help her mother again in the cooking class. “You get to make the stuff, and then you eat it,” said Amber.

One of the summer program’s popular offerings is its three-week long musical theater workshop.

Nearly 50 children are involved in this year’s production of “Peter Pan.” Most will be on stage. A small number are doing technical work. Young performers rehearse two-and-a-half hours a day, five days a week leading up to the show. Tryouts for parts were held the first day, and roles were assigned the following day.

The workshop, for students completing grades 1 through 8, requires that participants can read a script and follow stage direction.

“They have a beautiful, elaborate production,” said summer school director Michael Courtois. “It amazes me every year.”

According to director Kathleen Dacey, the workshop allows students to improve memory skills, get a feel for being on stage, learn theatrical terms, work on their musical ability, and develop teamwork.

“I’m happy with it because it’s the best that this group can do in three weeks,” said Dacey. “You see so much growth in these kids. It’s absolutely amazing.”

The show will be presented to the public at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 24, in Salem High School’s Seifert Auditorium. Admission is $1.

Salem High School seniors step out into the world

Salem Editor — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:49:00 GMT

BY DARRELL HALEN

The members of Salem High School’s Class of 2009 face exciting opportunities but also challenges in the years ahead, they were told at their graduation ceremony.

But they are prepared to successfully meet those challenges, they were told, because of the education they received.

“Receiving your high school diploma signifies that you have earned a level of success and stand ready to begin the next phase of your life,” Principal William Hagen told the graduates at the Friday, June 12, ceremony.

“The experience has been different for each of you but will serve as a foundation upon which you will build your future.”

Dressed in blue and white caps and gowns, 530 graduates received diplomas at Grant Field as a large audience of proud parent parents, friends and other relatives applauded and cheered.

Throughout the ceremony, graduates heard words of praise and encouragement and were told they have the potential to achieve greatness.

“You can be whatever you want, as long as you believe in yourself,” said Class President Rob Nee, who told his classmates not to allow people’s criticisms and negative attitudes keep them from achieving their dreams. “I am very proud to be part of such an amazing group of students. Today, I am challenging you to take advantage of your freedom. Do something great with your lives and strive to be the best you can be.”

Co-valedictorian Kripa Patel thanked teachers for their inspiration and recalled some of the special memories and achievements of the class during their 714 days spent together at Salem High.

Graduation, she said, is a celebration of the relationships the students had forged and of the time they had spent together. She encouraged the graduates to create great memories for themselves.

“When you finally grab those stars you’ve been reaching for, create even more dreams for yourself and live them out, too,” said Patel.

“When you look back on your life, it shouldn’t matter that you didn’t end up shooting hoops for the NBA or launching a multi-million dollar company or becoming the most gifted actor Hollywood has even seen. What matters is that you do what you love. Be spontaneous. Be creative. Be passionate.”

The graduates had entered the field to the sounds of “Pomp and Circumstance.” Class Vice President Jharid Pratt led the audience in saying the Pledge of Allegiance.

“The Star Spangled Banner” and “Omnia Sol” (Let Your Heart be Staid) were performed by the school’s honors chorus. The school’s band performed the “Symphony for Brass and Percussion.”

“While we aspire to go our own ways and chase success, we will also never forget the bonds that we have formed with one another,” said vovaledictorian Nick Letizio.

“Though these years together have been primarily for the purpose of preparation for our lives and our careers, they are not years that are easily left behind.”

Every graduate can be successful, Letizio said.

“Congratulations on this momentous achievement – surely the first in a string of many to come. It’s been a great ride, one I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world,” said Letizio. “I have no doubt that we will all make Salem and Windham very proud.”

Graduates are receiving more than $8 million in college scholarships and grants. They are donating parade banners to the school as their class gift.

Over the past four years, Hagen said, the graduates had developed an understanding of the importance of friendship and had learned to take care of each other during good and bad times.

“I am confident that as each of you plan your future and aspire to achieve your own dreams, you will remember that your life will be enriched by the lives you touch,” Hagen said.

Hagen praised teachers for providing students with the knowledge and skills to succeed, recognized students who are continuing their education, and honored parents and guardians for nurturing, guiding and supporting their children.

Hagen also recognized 14 graduates who will be serving in the armed forces. They received a standing ovation. Fortunately for all the graduates, rainy weather had stopped in time for the ceremony. Dark skies had receded and the sun shone on the field.

“Welcome to New England. This morning, it was 57 (degrees) and raining as we set up,” said Hagen. But now, he said, “We have this glorious afternoon today for our graduates.”

Talented, hard-working Salem track star eagerly faces new challenges

Salem Editor — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:28:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Running and jumping aren’t enough for Mike Marshall. He wants to do more.

After a successful track and field career at Salem High School, the recently graduated senior is beginning to train for the next level, where he plans on competing in the decathlon for the University of New Hampshire Wildcats.

Marshall performed well on the track he’ll soon call home, winning the 110-meter hurdles and the long jump during the Meet of Champions in Durham to qualify for the New England Regionals in Burlington, Vt., where he came in sixth and 10th, respectively.

From his first day of practice with the Blue Devils – he was a sophomore at the time – Marshall proved to his coaches that he had the potential to be one of the leading competitors on the team.

“A lot of my success has been off of natural ability,” said Marshall. “I came into it and was three-stepping hurdles on my first day, and not a lot of people can do that.”

While athleticism carried him originally, Marshall’s competitive nature took him to a higher level. Long hours of training helped Marshall become one of the state’s top athletes.

His head coach, Jack Gati, said another key aspect to Marshall’s makeup is the way he seems to have his best meets on the largest stages.

The mentor wasn’t at all surprised by Marshall’s two first-place finishes at the Meet of Champions.

“Frankly, it was expected,” said Gati. “He rises to the level of competition. The bigger the event, the more his competitive juices get flowing. He competes, and he competes well. That’s his personality.”

During high-level competitions in any sport, athletes sometimes struggle with nerves and falter under pressure.

Gati said that was never a concern with Marshall.

“There are a lot of kids who think about it too much,” said Gati. “Some kids have the skills and for some reason they freeze or let other factors get into their head. Mike has the ability to block everything out and just do what he needs to do.”

Max Jacques was one of Marshall’s close friends on the track team, and the sophomore said it was easy to tell when Marshall hadn’t performed as well as he’d hoped during a previous meet.

“He hates losing, so when he would lose a race he would work twice as hard during practice the next day,” said Jacques. “He wanted to make sure he didn’t lose again.”

Marshall plans to study business administration while at UNH, and said to be successful in the decathlon he needs to improve his throwing in particular.

Gati said he believes Marshall can be successful at the college level but needs to hit the weight room to put on some muscle.

Jacques said next year’s track team faces a void due to Marshall’s departure.

“He’s such a good leader, and he is a giant part of our team scoring,” said Jacques. “We’ll definitely miss what he could do for our team.”

Timberlane flashes leather, crashes Salem’s party

Salem Editor — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:25:00 GMT

BY JERRY LIPTAK

Salem High filled the air with well-struck fly balls during a first-round Class L baseball playoff game. Yet Timberlane gloves, similar to gravity, were a force SHS couldn’t avoid.

The ninth-seeded Owls played flawless defense, deflated a last-inning rally and knocked the eighth-seeded Blue Devils from the tournament with a 4-1 win at Michele Park on Thursday, June 4. Salem’s first 18 outs went as follows: a pair of strikeouts, two runners caught stealing and 14 fly ball, line drive or pop up outs.

It wasn’t until the locals chased Timberlane starter Matt Faia that the Owls recorded a ground ball out. The Blue Devils entered the last half of the seventh and final inning in a 4-0 hole, but Darren Brown lined a single to left to open the frame. Sam Fazzioli then leaned into a Faia offering, putting runners at first and second and raising the decibel level on Salem’s bench and among the crowd.

When Josh Treff followed with an RBI single to left, the tying run came to bat. Timberlane countered with its star hurler, P.J. Singster, who induced a grounder to shortstop, foul pop behind home plate and comebacker to eliminate Salem.

“They made the plays, four or five of them. There’s not much else we could’ve done,” said Salem’s head coach, Dan Keleher. “We did as well as we could (at the plate) to win this game – as far as our approach – but no regrets.”

Salem starter Jake Lambert struggled early and wasn’t helped by some tough luck: in the second inning, three infield singles and a bad-hop hit to left, along with a bases loaded walk and clean single, plated two Owls in the second.

An error and walk to open the top of the third forced Keleher to call on Nick Poore, who retired the next three Timberlane hitters, but not before another Owl scooted home. A bunt single plated the visitors’ final run in the fifth.

Time and again, Timberlane’s outfielders were tested. In every instance, they made the plays. The top of Salem’s lineup – Jordan Estevez, Matt Gioia and Josh Heil – was sent back to the bench after especially hard outs.

The Blue Devils, 11-9 entering the postseason, lose Heil, Lambert and Jerry Acosta to graduation. The entire team, said Keleher, earned his thanks for their efforts in 2009.

“You can’t be disappointed with their approach. Not every coach gets to have a group of kids like this,” he said. “I’m sorry the season is over.”

Salem bounced from tourney in q-final

Salem Editor — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:26:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

The Salem boys tennis team entered the Class L tournament against Pinkerton looking to defend its state championship title, but ended the day defenseless as the Astros eliminated the Blue Devils in the quarterfinals.

Following a 12-2 regular season record, Salem entered the playoffs as the No. 3 team and earned a home match that was twice postponed by rain.

In the regular-season match up, the Blue Devils snuck past Pinkerton in a 5-4 win on May 13, but the Astros prevailed on Saturday, May 30, 6-3.

Salem trailed 4-2 following singles play after its top four players suffered setbacks. Nick Letizio and Nick Noshirwani earned victories at No. 5 and No. 6 to keep their team’s hopes alive.

Noshirwani’s victory took extra time, as he won 9-8 following a 7-4 tiebreaker to finish his individual season record at 14-1.

The efforts from the bottom of the ladder were not enough as the team’s top two doubles teams were toppled, though Jordan Faulconer and Mike Michalczyk came away with a victory at No. 3 doubles.

Salem mentor Mike Jolicoeur said the layoff in between his team’s regular season finale and its playoff opener may have had an impact.

“We had about a week off, the weather to deal with and some other distractions, so it was a bad combination,” said Jolicoeur. “It’s tough not knowing when you are actually going to play, so the timing was just bad.”

Jolicoeur also said his squad knew Pinkerton, the sixth-seeded team in Class L, was a formidable challenge. The Astros made statements at No. 3 and No. 4 singles play in matches Jolicoeur believed his players would win.

During the regular-season meeting, Brian Peltz lost in a tiebreaker, and Faulconer earned a victory, but the playoff scores were 8-2 and 8-3, respectively.

Seven seniors graduate from this team, and next year’s squad also loses Windham residents to the new high school.

“I think we’re going to struggle,” said Jolicoeur. “We won’t return anybody who has seen any playing time. I think we’ll be young, but if there is a positive, that’s it. There are guys who will be in the program for a couple years.”

Salem pulls one upset – nearly two – in playoffs

Salem Editor — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:21:00 GMT

BY JERRY LIPTAK

Besides Curt Killion, his Salem girls tennis team and the optimistic SHS supporters, few Class L playoff followers expected the Blue Devils to reach the state semifinals. Instead, sixthseeded Salem knocked off one higher-ranked foe to do just that, then pushed another to the limit before exiting the tournament just shy of the finals.

SHS reversed a 6-3 setback to Exeter on May 18, stunning the No. 3 seed in the quarterfinals on Thursday, May 28, but couldn’t duplicate the feat against No. 2 Concord, which beat the locals on Saturday, May 30, 5-4.

The Crimson Tide edged the Blue Devils by an identical score on May 6, sweeping the three doubles matches to overcome a 4-2 Salem lead following singles play. Killion said his charges needed to repeat that singles effort to oust Concord in the semis.

Salem, as Killion requested throughout the postseason, swung hard but narrowly missed the target.

Sophomore Danica Blakslee at No. 2, freshman Rachel Ward at No. 3 and junior Breanna Edelstein, down 2-0 early in her contest at No. 6, won their singles matches, but No. 1 Angela Rullo and No. 5 Cassie Hailson dropped theirs.

As fans, players and coaches gathered round, Caitlin Peters battled Amanda Unger before succumbing, 8-6, leaving the teams deadlocked at 3-3 entering doubles play.

“(Concord’s) doubles were so strong, we really had to win four singles matches to have a realistic chance,” said Killion, in his 20th year coaching. But Salem not only refused to go quietly, the team quickly took a 4-3 lead when Peters, a senior, teamed with Hailson, a freshman, to easily dispatch their opponents at No. 3 doubles, 8-1.

Rullo and Ward, another senior/freshman combination, couldn’t keep pace at No. 1 doubles with Concord’s duo, falling 8-2, while Blakslee and senior Julianna Blaisdell were beaten at No. 2 doubles, 8-4. Even in defeat, the Blakslee/ Blaisdell team scared Concord, cutting a sizeable 7-2 deficit to 7-4 with their shotmaking.

It was the first time Killion had paired Rullo with Ward and Blakslee with Blaisdell. Taking chances was something the coach felt comfortable doing with this group.

“I told them before the (Exeter) match that I didn’t want them sitting back and waiting for (their opponent to make) a mistake,” said the coach. “I told them to crush the ball. Just rip it, and let’s see what happens. They were a little surprised.”

Exeter was, too.

Blakslee, Peters, Hailson and Edelstein won their singles matches against the Blue Hawks. Though Rullo and fellow senior Angela Vinci lost their No. 1 doubles match, Blakslee and Ward at No. 2, as well as Peters and Hailson in the No. 3 spot they’ve dominated since teaming up at midseason, handily won.

“We’ve had other upset wins since I’ve been here, but never one with this gap in rankings,” said Killion, whose team finished 11-5. “The final score was a surprise to me. The fact that we won wasn’t a surprise.”

While Salem loses a number of key players – all of the aforementioned seniors and their classmates, Gabriella Cerrentani and Kelsey Donahue, along with Windham’s Ward, who heads to her new high school – Killion has lots of talent returning.

The steadily improving Blakslee, he said, should prove a formidable top-ranked player as a junior. Edelstein and her classmate, Kina Wilbur- Kamien, also come back for a final year, and Hailson has three years remaining.

“Caitlin started playing as a sophomore, but everyone else has been here for four years,” said Killion, who added, of course, he hoped Windham and Salem could have continued their partnership. “To have so many girls that are all pretty even, they handled the stress really well and were all good friends.”

Blue Devils roll into playoffs as No. 3 seed with 12-2 record

Salem Editor — Wed, 27 May 2009 20:15:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

It was no coincidence where the Salem High School boys tennis team held its first preseason meeting.

The Blue Devils sat as a group beneath the 2008 state championship banner hanging at the school, and head coach Mike Jolicoeur hoped to send a message to his team.

“We wanted the guys to get a sense for what this season meant,” said Jolicoeur.

“They knew it’d be an uphill battle to try to duplicate what those guys did last year, and they know that still.”

Salem’s quest for a second straight title remains possible; the Blue Devils wrapped up a 12-2 regular season with a 9-0 victory against Dover on Friday, May 22.

With the win, the Blue Devils sealed the third seed in the Class L postseason. The closest match of the day came during No. 1 singles play. Joel Vastl earned a hard-fought 9-7 victory to cap a stellar regular-season record of 11-3.

Jolicoeur said the key to Vastl’s success comes from his powerful first serve, which, when accurate, causes his foes fits. “When he (hits puts his first serve in play), he’s extremely hard to beat,” said the coach.

Nick Noshirwani posted the best individual mark for the Blue Devils, and with a win over Dover in the No. 5 spot, he finished the regular season at 13-1.

Though Salem won the state title last year, only two players in this year’s ladder played regularly in ’08. Vastl was the No. 4 singles player, while Chris Correia played from the sixth spot.

Correia had been struggling entering the match with Dover, but came away with an easy 8-2 win over Nate Muscato.

The Class L tournament is scheduled to begin with a firstround match up with rival Pinkerton on Thursday, May 28, at 4 p.m., at Griffin Park.

Although Salem had already clinched the match with Dover after singles play, Jolicoeur decided his usual doubles teams required additional court time.

“Normally if we had won six singles, we wouldn’t have played them,” he said. “We didn’t look that good in doubles against Exeter, so we wanted to get them some work entering the postseason.”

Salem’s arms, defense mean team should be a tough tourney out

Salem Editor — Wed, 20 May 2009 18:42:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

The Salem Blue Devils are right where their head coach expected them to be, but Dan Keleher said his team should be able to exceed expectations.

Salem finds itself in the middle of the Class L postseason picture with an 8-7 record, but the Blue Devils need to find offensive firepower to return to where last season ended – in the state title game.

Keleher’s team has averaged little more than four runs per game, an issue the mentor anticipated entering the year.

“In certain areas, like defense, they’re up to par. It’s just been a lack of offense that has gotten us so far,” said Keleher. “It’s something that we predicted.”

The struggles at the plate may be partially explained by the opponents on the mound; Keleher said his lineup has seen just about every team’s No. 1 pitcher. The coach said the experience bodes well for his team entering the postseason since the players know what to expect from potential playoff foes.

For the Blue Devils to make another deep tournament run this year, they need to continue to pile up solid performances from starting pitchers Nick Poore and Jake Lambert.

Both have been consistent this year, with two of Poore’s setbacks coming against Central and Keene, when his offense mustered a combined two runs.

“Some people say you need three starters to be successful, but you definitely need two to go deep in the tournament,” said Keleher. “There are a lot of teams that have that, but our guys are just as good as anyone else’s aces.”

One of the most consistent aspects for the Blue Devils has been the middle-infield play of second baseman Matt Gioia and shortstop Jordan Estevez, who also hit at the top of the order.

Keleher said the two play defense so well that anything they add offensively is a bonus.

Captain Josh Heil showed his leadership skills after seeing his team struggle to find someone to fortify the center field position with any success. Heil, who started the year as a third baseman, volunteered to make the move to the outfield, where he has played for the last five games.

“It’s not surprising. He’s done everything since the winter for these guys,” said Keleher. “The amount of respect they show every day is evident. He’s a great team leader.”

Despite hovering around the .500 mark, Keleher knows the Class L bracket is wide open.

“With solid pitching, which we have, you can be in the semifinals in what seems like the blink of an eye,” said the coach. “Once you get there, anything can happen.”

Young Salem High team girls lacross team seeks confidence, offensive spark

Salem Editor — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 01:37:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Momentum has yet to join the Salem girls lacrosse roster. Aside from a 10-6 victory over Nashua North, the Blue Devil offense has been stymied in the early going, including a 19-2 loss to Central on Monday, April 27.

The contest with the Little Green was never in doubt, as Kaleigh Gibbons notched three goals of her seven goals in the early going while Central opened a 9-1 halftime lead.

“We’re in a little bit of a slump right now. They have to get a little bit of confidence,” said Salem head coach Faith Wahlen. “They’re young, and they lost some people last year that had stepped up.”

Following Gibbons’ three unanswered tallies, Sarah Viehl found an open Aja Metcalf in front of the net to trim the deficit to 3-1, but Salem wouldn’t muster another score until just prior to the final buzzer.

Viehl assisted again, passing to Avery Neusch.

Following the game Wahlen said she believed the next day’s meeting with Memorial would untrack her team, and she was right. The Blue Devils edged the Crusaders, 10-9.

Sloppy passing and poor effort on ground balls have been among the causes of a rocky start for Salem, as well as finding a fluid offense.

“We’ve done a bunch of shooting and drills,” said Wahlen. “They practice against me, so I know they can do it. Then they get into a game, get the ball on their stick, and they just freeze.”

Although her team cruised to victory, Central’s head coach, Whitney Nelson, saw promise in a young Blue Devil opponent.

“I think they do a great job of reading the pass and going for the interception,” said Nelson. “They’re very good at anticipating, and that was something I definitely noticed, especially in the second half.”

Salem was shorthanded due to vacation week, but Wahlen said a busy week of play should help her players gain some game experience and find a groove.

“Once they see that they can do it and realize they can score a goal a certain way, it usually flows,” said Wahlen. “Getting the momentum started early enough seems to be our issue right now.”

Salem boys lacross team shows flashes against Memorial, but team remains winless

Salem Editor — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 01:33:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

For roughly three minutes of game play, Salem boys lacrosse coach Chris Keleher was happy with the effort his team gave. The rest of the contest was a different story.

The Blue Devils lost a 6-2 halftime lead and fell in overtime to Memorial on Saturday, April 25, despite clawing back with two goals in the final minutes to force the extra frame. Mitchel Powers ended the contest with 2:27 remaining in overtime, sending Salem home with a 10-9 defeat.

Salem’s fourth quarter was quiet until Jake Matthews worked from the sideline to the middle of the field, scoring while falling down to pull his team within a goal at 9-8 with 3:09 left.

He nearly tied the score with little more than a minute remaining, but his shot ricocheted the post. Brett Miller capitalized on a pass from Steve Kalucki with 44 seconds remaining, firing a shot into the back of the net, but the Blue Devils couldn’t score in the extra session, dropping to 0-5.

“We played down a level,” said Keleher. “As I told the kids, we let them play with us, and they did. They outplayed us, and we played lackadaisically. Until they want to make a commitment to play four quarters of lacrosse, we’ll be dealing with those issues.”

Miller’s four-goal effort wasn’t enough for Salem, which played its closest game of the season after losing by at least six goals in four prior games.

Keleher said he is most frustrated by his team’s approach to games, not the results on the scoreboard.

“We had kids who forgot game uniforms and things like that,” said Keleher. “That points to where the head is. If your head’s not in the game, then we’re going to be in trouble.”

Keleher said his squad can bounce back and take a lesson from its setback at Memorial.

“The last two and a half minutes of the game, that’s the kind of effort we need the whole game,” he said. “You have to play like that the whole game, not the final two minutes when you know you’re in trouble.”

Salem High School Actors’ Guild presents Agatha Christie play

Salem Editor — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:55:00 GMT

BY DARRELL HALEN

Ten people are gathered in a house on an island. One of them begins to murder off the others, one by one. But which one of them is the killer?

It’s the classic Agatha Christie mystery, “And Then There Were None,” which is bringing brought to the stage at Salem High School by the SHS Actors’ Guild.

“It’s high intensity,” said junior Abby Brandt, 17, who plays the role of Mrs. Rogers, the cook. “There’s a lot of tension between the different characters in the show.They’re all suspecting each other.”

Christie, the famous English mystery writer, wrote the story in 1939. The suspenseful tale is considered one of her best works and has been adapted into plays, films and even a video game.

The story is set in the summer of 1944 in a large house off the coast of Devonshire in England.

Each killing parallels a verse of a nursery rhythm framed above the fireplace. When each character dies, one of 10 little soldier figurines on the fireplace mantle mysteriously disappears or is broken.

But the characters can’t flee the house – they are without a boat to return to the mainland – so they’re trapped in the methodical killer’s deadly game.

For the audience, trying to figure out who is the murderer won’t be easy. Cast members hope to keep audience members on the edge of their seats, wondering what’s going to happen next during the show.

“We don’t want to make anything obvious in the show at all,” said Amanda DeMarco, 17, a senior, who plays the role of Vera Claythorne, a young secretary. “The whole entire point is to lead (the audience) along so the end will be a shock. We hope they enjoy it but also that they’re surprised in the end.”

The cast also includes Tyler Anderson as Rogers, the butler; Amy Burzak as Bible-reading old spinster Emily Brent; Ramsey Eassa as soldier of fortune Philip Lombard; Max Hamilton as Sir Lawrence Wargrave, a retired judge; Jaquith O’Keefe as wealthy socialite Anthony Marston; Greg Phipps as Dr. Armstrong; Jake Simard as ex-inspector William Blore; Max Zofska as General MacKenzie; and Travis Sanders as Fred Narracott, the boatman.

The show is being directed by English teacher Chris Bujold. One of his aims, he said, is to get the characters to appear “more nervous and on edge” after they’ve learned they’re trapped in a house with a killer.

“I’m trying to push that (with the cast),” he said. “I’m trying to get the anxiety level up. I want the audience to feel a lit bit anxious as well.”

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.

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