Travel Team - Dec. 27-29
7th Grade Boys Advance to Finals in Holiday Tournament!
In Salem’s first game of a Doubleheader kicking off the 2007 Hoop Gains Christmas Tournament they faced off against Danvers. Salem played tight with Danvers for most of the first half but emerged with a lead after they put a little pressure on the opponents winning 66-50. Salem got most of it’s scoring from Greg Speliotis, Connor Reardon and Marvin Baez, With great defensive play by Danny Moya Brendan Broderick and Billy Muse.
Salem’s second contest was against a stout Tewksbury team that pounded Salem for the first 12 minutes of the game, forcing the lead at one point to, 35-12. Salem ignited in the final 2 minutes of the first half and the rest of the game behind a Magical performance from Marvin Baez. Baez who carried the 7th graders offensively scoring from all over including 3 straight 3-pointers during the second half. Jefferson Akers and Greg Speliotis rebounded effectively inside with help from Danny Moya. Kelly Abreu Ben Kapnis and Connor Reardon were fierce on defense. Salem won 71-65 in a highly competitive ball game.
The next day Salem had to go back up to Haverhill and earn the chance to play in the championship by Beating Lynnfield. Salem gave perhaps their most sincere effort defensively and stifled Lynnfield’s attack. Offensively the Witch spread it around with every player scoring at least one bucket. Kelly Abreu, Brendan Broderick, Taylor Norris and Greg Speliotis were a force defensively shutting down Lynnfield in the first half to gain Salem a 45-20 half time edge. The second half saw much of the same with “Hurricane” Ben Kapnis and Marvelous Marvin Baez penetrating the defense with ease to get lay-ups. Billy Muse, Nick Salamida, Connor Reardon and Christian Almonte all slashed their way to easy hoops as well propelling Salem to the 67-54 win.
The Salem 7th grade boys team extended it’s win streak to 7 with a big win over Swampscott, 51-11. Salem played tremendous defense in both the back and front courts to gain the win.
With these four wins this week the boy’s 7th grade team has pushed it’s mark to 7-1. They also gained entry to the Championship Game of the Hoop Gains Christmas Tournament on Sunday December 30 against Team IQ.