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Watertown races past Salem

Thursday, January, 01 By Christopher Smith

NORTH ANDOVER —  Salem 6-5 junior forward Matt Vartanian summed up his team’s subpar performance against Watertown on Saturday perfectly.

“We finally had a good run at pressing the other team, and we haven’t been able to do that in a while but our halfcourt defense was awful and we couldn’t finish at the hoop,” Vartanian said. “Not much positive.” 

The Blue Devils lost 60-47 to Watertown in the semifinals of the Hixon Division here at the Commonwealth Motors Christmas Classic at Merrimack College. 

Watertown (2-2) advanced to play Pinkerton (3-0) in the Hixon Division championship at 2:45 p.m. Monday.

Salem will play North Andover in the consolation game at 5:30 p.m. today.

Watertown did an especially strong job guarding Vartanian who finished with nine points but was held scoreless in the first half, held to just two points total through three quarters and didn’t convert his first field goal until the fourth quarter. 

“The minute I touched the ball, they trapped at least two or three guys in on me and I was forced to kick it,” Vartanian said. “Not much of an option.” 

The Salem coaches were heard several times during the first quarter yelling for their players to finish. Salem missed several layups and high-percentage shots early on.

Watertown junior captain Brandon Hoban poured in a game-high 27 points, including 15 points during the first half. He played well both outside and inside. 

Derek DiPietrantonio added 14 points for Watertown and had an especially strong second half with 10 points. He was a force in the paint. 

“They could both shoot even with a hand in their face,” Vartanian said. “They finished at the hoop even if there was help (defense against them).”

Jared Gott (12 points, two 3-pointers) and Tim Dodier (10 points, one 3-pointer) led the Blue Devils offense.