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Salem takes down Lynn Classical in semifinal showdown

Mark Aboyoun

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WOBURN — A traditional rivalry was restored Tuesday night as No. 2 Salem and No. 6 Lynn Classical filled Woburn Memorial High for a Division 3 semifinal matchup. With fans loud and sporting their school colors, the Witches used a fourth-quarter surge to eliminate the Rams 68-50.

Despite the final score, Classical was in it until the fourth quarter. During the final eight minutes, Salem went on a run to earn a trip to Lowell’s Tsongas Center for the first time since 1995. 

The game was dictated by a pair of Salem standouts: Nate Lane and Elian Rodriguez. 

In the first half, Lane netted 15 points and did it from inside the paint and around the perimeter. Lane grabbed a defensive rebound and took the ball coast to coast for a layup, which led to a Classical timeout with the Witches leading 24-13 during the second quarter. 

“Nate’s energy from the tip was unbelievable,” said Salem coach Tom Doyle. “He set the tone. Loose ball after loose ball, rebound, rebound, he was all over the place. He set the tone for the whole team with his energy.” 

The Rams got going offensively thanks to DJ Reynolds, who knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers and converted a layup to cut the deficit to 34-28 with 46 seconds remaining in the half.

In the second half, it was all Salem’s Rodriguez, who exploded for 19 of his 30 points.

During the fourth quarter, with Classical trailing by 13, Rodriguez buried a corner 3-pointer that felt like a dagger into the Rams. 

“He’s a veteran. I know he’s only a junior, but he’s a special player,” Doyle said. “When he knocks down that three, it changes the whole momentum and it swings it right back to us.” 

Classical coach Marvin Avery was proud of his team and gave Salem credit. 

“Take nothing away from Salem. Our guys fought hard. They made some good shots and did a nice job,” Avery said. “We went against a great Salem team and they’re one of the top teams for a reason. I have nothing but respect for those guys. I tip my hat to Tom Doyle.” 

Avery has known his seniors for a long time and was proud of where they ended up. 

“I’m very proud of my seniors for getting us here,” he said. “These seniors have been with me when I first took over the program. No one gave these guys a chance when we lost one of our key players, but we just kept fighting as the season went on. I’ll take 20-4 any day with these guys.

“They set the tone for the future. They came in and we felt we got better each year,” Avery said.

Salem will face top-ranked Hanover in the Division 3 state championship game (TBD).

  • Mark Aboyoun

    Mark Aboyoun is a New Jersey born sports writer at The Daily Item. Aboyoun is a graduate of Saint Joseph's University '18 and went on to earn his Juris Doctor at Western New England School of Law in 2021.

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