After pouring in a game-high 27 points to lead Salem to its first boys' basketball title since 1995, Elian Rodriguez shared the moment with the Witches faithful.
After pouring in a game-high 27 points to lead Salem to its first boys' basketball title since 1995, Elian Rodriguez shared the moment with the Witches faithful.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
LOWELL — When the Salem boys’ basketball team arrived at their school locker room Saturday, they were greeted to a few local legends on FaceTime. Scoonie Penn, leader of the last state champion squad, got them fired up. So did Knicks assistant coach Ric Brunson, and his NBA superstar son, Jalen.
“We were crazy pumped,” said senior forward Cesar Mesa Castillo. “We were ready to go right there and then.”
Elian Rodriguez was the star of the night, leading the Witches to their first state title in 31 years with 27 points. But it was Castillo who delivered the win with the biggest play of the night, stealing an inbounds in front of his bench to preserve a 2-point lead late. The Witches made their free throws to seal a 57-51 win over Hanover at Tsongas Center.
It’s the fourth state title in program history, 100 years exactly from their first in 1926, joining the Brunson and Penn-led squads of 1990 and 1995, respectively.
“It’s so special,” said Witches coach Tommy Doyle, who played on the ′90 team and remains close friends with Brunson. “This community is so spectacular. I’ve lived here my whole life, played here my whole life, coached here my whole life, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. This is unbelievable.”
The Witches (24-2) took a 39-26 lead into the half thanks to buzzer-beating corner 3-pointer from Nate Lane (12 points). But the Hawks (23-2) made things physical in the second half, with Ryan Mutschler (22 points) bruising his way through the paint.
Rodriguez tried his best to nurse the clock leading 53-51, but his shot clock-beating leaner missed, and the ensuing loose ball scramble gave Hanover a chance to tie it or take the lead with 13 seconds left.
That’s when Castillo came through with the biggest play of his career, hitting the deck to break up the pass and get it into the hands of Matt Kenney, who sunk two free throws for a 55-51 lead and, effectively, ball game.
Multiple players credited the advanced scouting of an assistant coach, Tommy’s son Ethan, on the play.
“He’s like an Einstein to this sport,” Rodriguez said. “He spends 14 hours a day watching film on the other team. You can always count on him to have us prepared.”
Hanover coach Nick Hannigan remained proud of his group after the tough loss.
“This group is special,” Hannigan said. “I’ve had these kids since they were third and fourth graders at summer camp. And you could just tell even from when they were starting to reach that age where they were just about to be in high school, how committed they were, how together they were.”
Cole Madden (12) was the only other Hawks scorer in double-figures, going 3-for-6 from 3-point range.
In a 2-point game with 13.3 seconds left, Salem’s Cesar Mesa Castillo (3) dove to floor and pocketed a steal in the Hanover backcourt.
In a 2-point game with 13.3 seconds left, Salem’s Cesar Mesa Castillo (3) dove to floor and pocketed a steal in the Hanover backcourt.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
Salem 57, Hanover 51
at Tsongas Center, Lowell
Salem (24-2) 16 23 7 11 — 57
Hanover (23-2) 16 10 16 9 — 51
SALEM — Nate Lane 4-2-12, Cesar Mesa Castillo 2-0-5, Matt Kenney 2-2-6, Elian Rodriguez 11-1-27, Cleto Deng 3-1-7. Totals 22-6-57.
HANOVER — Ryan Mutschler 8-6-22, Cole Madden 5-0-13, Sebastian Brown 3-1-8, Brad Peterson 2-3-8. Totals 18-10-51.
3-pt. goals: S, Nate Lane 2, Cesar Mesa Castillo, Elian Rodriguez 4; H, Cole Madden 3, Sebastian Brown, Brad Peterson.