In what has been an absolute emotion-filled season, Brock James delivered a Senior Night performance for the ages.
The Salem High senior, coming off a 41-point night on Friday, upped the ante with 51 on Tuesday in the Blue Devils’ 90-59 win over Timberlane Regional.
The win, and the effort, might just have extended the season for Salem, which has won three of the last four to close out the regular year at 7-11. The Blue Devils sit in a three-way tie for the last two playoff spots and will find out Wednesday morning if they have made the Division I postseason.
James dedicated the season to his dad, Bill, the legendary teacher/coach who passed away this past fall. The emotions were bubbling on Tuesday night.
“I have a good support system, everyone on my team is there for me, and my family has been amazing,” said James. “I had at least 30 people there for me tonight. I dedicated my season to my dad, and it feels good to play for him, and doing him proud.”
Interestingly enough, this night and this entire season almost did not happen.
James, who will run cross country and track for Merrimack College in the fall, almost didn’t play hoop this winter.
“I thought about running indoor track this year, but I had to finish this out the right way,” said James. “I have had these friends my whole life playing basketball.”
Salem, which struggled much of the year, is playing its best ball at the right time. Along with the three big wins, the Blue Devils pushed first-place Bedford to the limit last week, falling by a bucket.
“We have definitely been moving the ball more and are playing with a lot more energy,” said James. “We started to understand that we had to win games to keep it going. We’re rolling right now. (If we make the playoffs), you never know what can happen.”