16 - December 9, 2011 Salem Patriot


by Chris White With seven seniors on their roster, the Salem Blue Devils may appear to have one of the more experienced basketball teams in Division 1 this season. At the same time, carrying six newcomers and only two returners that saw significant minutes last season, the boys team will actually feature more of a new-look squad in 2011-12. Salem graduated four starters from last year’s team that advanced to the Division 1 quarterfinals and achieved an overall record of 15-8. With a number of players stepping into new roles this year, Salem’s success will depend on how much it can improve as a team throughout the season. “I’m really looking forward to seeing our


development throughout the season,” said Rob McLaughlin, who is entering his second season as Salem’s head coach. “With so many new faces and old ones with new opportunities, we should get better as the season progresses. The new players have already shown they are getting more comfortable in our system.” Salem’s varsity roster includes 11 players in all – three juniors and one sophomore in addition to the seven seniors. Point guard Jon Klecan heads the squad as the only returning starter from last season. Known more for his defensive expertise,


the senior will look to expand his role on the offense end this year.


Salem Patriot


Klecan will be complimented by guards Andrew Ruffen and Dan Salvo in the starting line-up. Ruffen, a junior entering his third season on varsity, saw significant minutes last season and will look to take his game to the next level on both ends of the floor. Meanwhile, Salvo will look to rebound from an injury-riddled junior season and provide the Blue Devils with some hard-nosed defense and consistent shooting in his senior year.


Returning to the Salem front court are two seniors – Joe Dube and Drew O’Shaughnessy. Dube provided some good minutes off the bench last year and will look to contribute with his toughness and rebounding ability on the interior. O’Shaughnessy, in his third year on varsity, will provide intensity on the defensive end and has the ability to knock down the jump shot from 15 feet and in.


Newcomers to the varsity team include Michael


Felix, Ben Slepian, and Steve Nugent at the guard positions, while Jack Hartman, Bengie Delgado Romero, and Jon Buatti will add depth to the front court.


Because of their lack of size and experience, New-Look Blue Devils Prepare for Hoops Season


the Blue Devils will try to win games with an emphasis on defense and an up-tempo style. Last season, the Blue Devils finished second in the state for fewest points allowed on defense, and they will rely on their defense to earn victories once again. “We’ll probably be defined by our defense and


tempo,” McLaughlin said. “We’ll be a more up- tempo team looking to capitalize on turnovers and creating havoc with our defense.” The Blue Devils’ defensive approach will be a main ingredient in achieving their goals for the season, clearly outlined by McLaughlin in stepping stone fashion – qualify for the state tournament, earn a first-round home playoff game, advance to the semifinals at UNH, and win the state title. Still, working hard and getting better every day are two things that McLaughlin said he will value most. “We’ll work every day and continue to strive to


improve,” he said. “When the game is over, win or lose, we want to be able to look in the mirror and know we left it all on the floor.”


Senior Jon Klecan will lead the new-look Salem Blue Devils at the point guard position this season


RAYS Battle Storm


Sports Sports


Melina Fedele (Windham) swimming 25-yard


butterfly, one of the events in which she placed first for 8 & under girls.


submitted by Rhonda Bleeker The Rockingham Area Youth Swim team hosted the Nashua Storm team at a dual meet on November 27 at the Salem Workout Club and Wellness Center. Many RAYS held their own against the Storm beating out their competitors for top placements. Windham, Pelham, and Salem RAYS swimmers scoring among the top three in individual events were as follows: 8 & Under Girls: Erin Prendergast (Windham) – first in 25 Free, second in 25 Breast; Melina Fedele


Anna Matsco (Windham) swimming 50 butterfly leg of 200 IM event in which she placed second for 13-14 girls.


(Windham) – first in 100 IM, 25 Fly and 50 Free; Jordon Dolliver (Pelham) – third in 25 Back 8 & Under Boys: Miller Swank (Windham) – first in 25 Back, second in 25 Free, third in 25 Breast


9-10 Girls: Hannah Pickett (Windham) – first in the 200 Free, 50 Free and 50 Breast; Nicole Desautels (Windham) – third in 50 Free; Amy Prendergast (Windham) – second in 100 IM and 50 Breast, third in 50 Fly 9-10 Boys: Bradley Valo (Windham) – second in 50 Back, third in 50 Free; Miles Swank (Windham) – second in 100 IM, third in 50 Back; Max Spencer (Windham) – first in 50 Back, third in 50 Fly 11-12 Girls: Emily Martsolf


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(Windham) – first in 100 Back, third in 200 Free 11-12 Boys: Max Swank


(Windham) – second in 50 Free; Jason Domogala (Windham) – first in 50 Fly, third in 50 Free and 50 Breast 13-14 Girls: Anna Matsco


(Windham) – second in 200 IM, third in 200 Back and 100 Free; Laura Pomeroy (Windham) – third in 100 Fly 15 & Over Girls: Angela Bleeker (Windham) – first in 200 Back, third in 50 Free; Emily Matsco (Windham) – first in 100 Breast, second in 200 Back, third in 200 IM; Julia Bushell (Windham) – first in 200 Breast, 200 IM and 500 Free; Meghan O’Connor (Windham) – first in 200 Fly, second in 200 IM; Tricia Caiati (Salem) – first in 100 Fly RAYS teams scoring first or second places at this meet were as follows:


8 & Under Girls: Kaitlyn


Witkop, Reilly Hazard, Melina Fedele and Erin Prendergast (Windham) placed first in the 100 Medley Relay. Kaitlyn, Melina and Erin were joined by Emma Hazard to take first place in the 100 freestyle relay as well. 8 & Under Boys: Owen Caprioglio (Litchfield),


William Heenan, Nick Lamy, Miller Swank (Windham) placed first in both the 100 Medley Relay and the 100 Freestyle Relay. 9-10 Girls: Sarah Leinbach, Nadine Sader,


Grace Harpster (Windham) and Emma Stahly placed first in the 200 Freestyle Relay and Jasmine Brown, Amy Prendergast (Windham), Emi Caprioglio (Litchfield) and Hannah Pickett (Windham) placed second in the 200 Freestyle Relay.


9-10 Boys: Bradley Valo (Windham), Hunter Hazard, Christian Nelson and Max Spencer (Windham) placed first in both the 200 Medley Relay and the 200 Freestyle Relay. 11-12 Girls: Emily Martsolf (Windham), Jules


Teichert, Hannah Terry and Brittaney Brown placed second in the 200 Medley Relay. Brittaney Brown, Madison Martin, Caitlynn Mahan and Hannah Terryplace first in the 200 Freestyle Relay, while the second RAYS team of Ally Gillespie, Jules Teichert, Anna Gruchot and Emily Martsolf (Windham) placed second. 11-12 Boys: Jason Domogala, Rishi Krothapali, Max Swank (Windham) and Addison Carder- Cannillo placed first in the 200 Freestyle Relay. 13-14 Girls: Sara Muller, Brianna Nowicki, Anna Matsco (Windham) and Rebekah Terry placed second in the 200 Medley Relay. Sara, Brianna and Anna were joined by Laura Pomeroy (Windham) to place first in the 200 Freestyle Relay while second RAYS team of Samantha Jones, Alli Martin, Tessa Gustafson (Windham) and Isabella Spagnuolo placed second in this event. 15-16 Girls: Julia Bushell (Windham), Jessica Martin, Meghan O’Connor (Windham), Tori Claverie placed first in the 200 Medley Relay while the team of Angela Bleeker and Emily Matsco (Windham), Ellen Courtemanche and Katie Soraghan (Litchfield) placed second in this


Amy Prendergast (Windham) swimming the 50-yard breaststroke, one of the events in which she placed second for the 9-10 girls.


Max Spencer (Windham) swimming 50 butterfly event in which he placedthird for 9-10 boys.


Julia Bushell (Windham) swimming 200-yard


breaststroke, one of the events in which she placed first for 15+ girls.


event. Julia, Jessica and Tori were joined by Ellen in the 200 Freestyle Relay to take first place. 15-16 Boys: Kyle McKenzie, Nick Bergstrom, Alex Dimes and Mitch Williams teamed up to place first in the 200 Freestyle Relay and second in the 200 Medley Relay. For additional results and information on the RAYS swim team, visit rays-nh.org.


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Staff photos by Chris White


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