If I were to tell you at the beginning of the 2018-19 winter hoops season that Salem would not only hold the best overall record among area teams but also emerge as a legitimate threat in Division 2 North you’d think I was crazy, right?
Okay, maybe not crazy. But I’m sure you’d be able to pick out a handful of other local teams with higher expectations — and I was right there with you.
The Witches came into the new campaign with seemingly no superstar caliber talent and a group of inexperienced underclassmen hoping to make their mark. They were undersized, unproven and coming off a 10-10 season in which they were bounced by eventual sectional champion North Andover in the first round.
Well, senior swingman Isaiah Williamson has built off a successful junior campaign to blossom into head coach Tom Doyle’s most reliable two-way asset. And those underclassmen? They’ve more than done their part to help Salem (9-2) hit its stride and gain both confidence and momentum heading down the stretch.
“I’m very happy with our record,” said Doyle. “It’s a great group of guys, working hard everyday. They’re unselfish and playing to their potential so far.”
In addition to Williamson, who leads the team in both scoring and rebounding, there’s sophomore sharpshooter Bobby Jellison, who leads the Witches in 3-point makes with over 20 and has consistently proven that he’s not afraid to take his shots.
There’s Jhoan Vago, a senior leader who has effectively served as the Robin to Williamson’s Batman. He’s physical, athletic and has a soft touch around the rim.
There’s also capable outside shooters Guillermo Pimentel, Galvin Gonzalez and Tommy Beauregard, all of whom have had their share of momentum swinging shots, individual sprees or even game-altering charges. Divin Katende can’t be left out either, an Energizer Bunny type spark plug that has come on strong defensively over the last couple of contests.
“Consistency, confidence, different guys stepping up every game,” Doyle said when asked what’s impressed him most about his unit this season. “They’re all working to get better every day.”
Salem is hardly ever going to out-rebound its opponent due to its guard heavy lineup. But they’ve found a way to make up for it with patient ball movement leading to good shots, and perhaps most importantly, a commitment on the defensive end.
As of last week the Witches had seven players averaging at least 1.0 steals per contest and two guys (Williamson and Pimentel) north of 2.0 steals per game. When they’re not swiping the ball cleanly, Salem is making life difficult on opposing guards bringing it up court, jumping the passing lanes and actively talking on the defensive end.
“We have mixed it up on D depending on the opponent and our guys have stepped up and given consistent effort no matter what defense and executed it,” said Doyle.
Salem needs just one more win to clinch a spot in this year’s state tourney, and it could come as early as Tuesday night when the Witches host Marblehead. After that, they’ll head to Beverly for a marquee matchup with the arch rival Panthers on Friday night.
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Yet another buzzer-beating win for Bishop Fenwick. This time it was Jaysean Stuart cashing in with the game-winner in overtime, swishing a 3-pointer from the top of the arc to break a tie and give the Crusaders a 46-43 win over Arlington Catholic. Fenwick is now 8-4 on the season after going just 3-17 a year ago, and the last second win avenged a loss to AC back on December 11.
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Former Pingree standout David Massillon has been a solid contributor for the streaking Gordon Fighting Scots who had reeled off 15 straight wins before finally dropping a 94-88 decision to Western New England on Saturday. The freshman is coming off one of his best performances of the season in a 79-70 win over Salve Regina, having scored nine points to go with a career-high 11 rebounds and a steal in 19 minutes off the bench.
Massillon has now played at least 10 minutes in three of the last four contests (he played 5 in the loss to WNE) and seems to be gaining more and more trust from head coach Tod Murphy. His season averages sit at 5.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per night, and he’s among the nation’s best from the free throw line at .902 percent.
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Beginning today I will be holding a Twitter poll asking North Shore high school hoops fans who their MVP is for the first half of the season. Twitter allows just four options so if you feel there is someone else deserving of consideration please comment below the poll on my page, @NickGiannino_SN.
I will keep the poll live for a full week and the winner will get a shout out in next week’s Full Court Press column.
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I wouldn’t be a true Los Angeles Lakers fan (yes, I’m a die-hard Lakers fan) if I didn’t mention that today, Tuesday, Jan. 22, is the 13-year anniversary of one Kobe “Bean” Bryant’s 81 point game.
In a comeback win over the Toronto Raptors, Bryant connected on 28-of-46 field goal attempts, including a 7-for-13 clip from distance, was 18-for-20 from the free throw line, grabbed six rebounds and even managed a pair of assists. It remains the second highest single game point total by a player in NBA history, behind only Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 point game back in 1962.
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Caught up with former Marblehead standout and 2016-17’s Salem News Player of the Year, Patrick Bugler, last week. The 5-foot-10 point guard is recovering from a pair of hip surgeries and decided to redshirt his sophomore campaign at Clark University and come back healthy next season. In the meantime, he’s staying as close to the game as possible, recently serving as an assistant coach for Mike Giardi and his former team during winter break.
Bugler was a regular part of the rotation as a freshman last winter, appearing in 20 games with averages of 15 minutes, 3.1 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists off the bench. He scored a career-high 10 points including two triples against Endicott.
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Games to watch this week — Tuesday: Marblehead at Salem (7); Beverly at Gloucester (7); Malden Catholic at St. John’s Prep (7). Wednesday: Pingree at Bancroft (4:30). Thursday: NONE. Friday: Salem at Beverly (7); Lynnfield at Masconomet (6:30); Ipswich at Manchester Essex (6:30); Hamilton-Wenham at Rockport (6:30); Danvers at Marblehead (7). Saturday: Thayer at Pingree (2); Madison Park at Beverly (3:30).
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POWER RANKINGS
1. Salem (9-2): Salem continues to roll; during their current five game win streak the Witches have out outscored opponents by an average of 30.4 points.
2. Beverly (7-2): The Panthers recovered nicely from a loss to Lynn English by taking care of Malden in dominant fashion.
3. Bishop Fenwick (8-4): The Crusaders fell back down to earth with a lopsided setback to powerhouse St. Mary’s, but are still well on their way to a tournament berth.
4. Hamilton-Wenham (7-3): The Generals have dropped two straight (vs. Pentucket and at Amesbury) after a 7-1 start.
5. Pingree (7-6): Head coach Steve Gibbs’ group continues to battle and stay above .500 despite rigorous competition.
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Full Court Press is a boys a North Shore high school boys basketball column that appears each Tuesday during the winter months. Contact staff writer Nick Giannino at Ngiannino@salemnews.com or 978-338-2648, and follow him on Twitter @NickGiannino_SN.
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