The first 32 minutes did not produce a winner, so the Wakefield and Salem High boys’ basketball teams went to overtime, tied at 71-71 with the winner advancing to the Division 2 North semifinals.
The crowd noise was deafening at Veterans Memorial Field House on Monday night in Salem.
An overpowering atmosphere for any younger player.
Ricky Arias, a 5-foot-9 sophomore for the host Witches, just played.
His team’s leading scorer during the regular season, he emerged from the huddle with a blank expressioni that conveyed determination.
Less than 15 seconds into overtime, he jumped up to pick off a Wakefield pass and took the ball coast-to-coast for a two-point lead. His expression remained emotionless as he jogged back on defense, the Salem faithful draped in dark red superfan t-shirts erupting as they waved cutouts of his face. Riding the momentum, Salem surged to an 83-79 victory.
Arias is the lone underclassman on an otherwise all-senior starting lineup, but he has emerged as a go-to player after developing his game in a sixth man role as a freshman.
His youthful athleticism and raw ability allowed him to earn playing time quickly, but also attracted a fair share of skeptics.
“Coming in, a lot of fans were saying stuff along the lines of ‘Ricky’s not going to make varsity, he’s not good enough, he’s too young,’’’ Arias recalled.
“I knew I had to prove them wrong.’’
He wasted little time in making an impact. In the season opener, his varsity debut, he had 17 points in a win over Beverly.
Arias scored in every regular season game. Although he was in first varsity season, he had already developed relationships with his new teammates.
“I’ve known teammates like Jhonel [Roberts] , Alex [Sanchez] and Kelven [Perpetuo] since I was little,’’ Arias said.
“When they first started high school a few years ago, we’d meet up at the Boys & Girls Club after school to play ball. We do everything together.’’
It was there, at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salem in which Arias worked on his game, trailing alongside a handful of teammates with Andre Daley, the club’s teen director.
“Everything I’ve learned in basketball comes from him,’’ Arias said.
“In the offseason we’d go out to the track and run two miles every day, which has helped with endurance, and then go inside and do drills. I was able to tweak my jump shot to get a little more lift on it.’’
During the regular season, Arias averaged 16 points, 7.7 rebounds, and three steals per game for the Witches (19-3), who earned the top seed in Division 2 North.
“You can tell his decision making is better now,’’ senior captain Jhonel Roberts said.
“He doesn’t force things like he might’ve last year. He lets the game come to him.’’
Salem coach Tom Doyle said that Arias “really benefited from another year of varsity practice and playing at a high school level.
“His bond with his teammates is already so strong,’’ added the coach. “Off the court they do everything from scouting opponents to coaching my son’s rec league team together. Another year of working on chemistry with them has done wonders.’’
At Lowell High, sophomore guard Alex Rivera has evolved from the role of defensive specialist to key contributor. The Red Raiders pulled off an impressive turnaround this year, flipping a 9-11 2015 campaign into an 18-2 regular-season finish before advancing to Saturday’s sectional final.
As a freshman, Rivera started at shooting guard, but his workload often focused on shutting down the opponent’s top scorer.
According to coach Bob Michakzyk , the potential was evident from the beginning.
“It’s been a natural progression for Alex,’’ he said.
“He wasn’t limited in athletic ability last year, defensive was just his role in the team dynamic. We’ve needed more out of him this year and he’s responded accordingly with mastering the little things.’’
Rivera’s time with the Massachusetts Rivals AAU team allowed work on the rest of his game in the offseason, improving his 3-point shot and pass selection in particular.
From the perspective of senior captain Sean Bryan though, more playing time at a higher level in general allowed him to develop more confidence.
“Alex was a great player last year but as a younger kid you could tell he was nervous out there,’’ Bryan said.
“He’s a gym rat, so more practicing and playing has allowed him to be more comfortable in taking over a game.’’
Rivera’s development has also come as a result of teaching others.
While training at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lowell , he has also offered pointers and lessons to young players.
“Teaching them helps me learn my own game,’’ Rivera said.
Averaging 14 points, 1.5 assists and three rebounds per game alongside freshman point Quest Harris , Rivera had led a Lowell resurgence. From day one of practice, Harris has amazed all with his freakish athleticism and maturity. Combined with senior leadership, the dynamic has resulted in a steady stream of wins.
“We just let it flow and play hard, unselfish basketball,’’ Rivera said.
In addition to his inner drive, there were external factors that kept Rivera highly motivated.
His grandmother, an important person in his childhood and introduction to athletes, passed last summer.
“When I was young, she was the one always telling me to get outside and play basketball,’’ Rivera said.
“She would be happy I’m sticking with it.’’
Lowell has a bright future with Harris and Rivera. So too is Salem with Ricky Arias.
“The team is good hands with Ricky,’’ said Jhonel Roberts, a graduating senior for the Witches.
“He knows how to win and he’ll only get better.’’
Ethan Schroeder can be reached at ethan.schroeder@globe.com.
