Brighton gets to the D2 North finals after 84-68 win over #1 seed Salem

Mykel Derring (17 points) hit four 3’s in the final quarter including this one.

Jordan Galloway (23 points) turned in seventeen points in the second quarter including three 3’s

(Beverly MA) No let up from Brighton as they rolled past Salem, 84-68, in the D2 North semifinals on Thursday night.

The Bengals (16-8) put a 45-20 second half on Danvers in the quarterfinals on their way to ending the Falcons 30-game home winning streak. They were just as good against the Witches (21-3) and gained separation in the early going.

Speed, accuracy, and a steady influx of rested bodies enabled Brighton to put points together in a hurry.

Salem was plenty fast but there was very little rest for their starters. Tiredness often shows up on defense and the Bengals had more and more open looks as the game progressed.

It surely helped the Brighton cause to have Jordan Galloway (23 points) catch fire in the second quarter and Mykel Derring (17 points) do the same thing in the fourth quarter.

Jordan collected seventeen of his points in the second quarter hitting three 3’s and powering the Bengals to a commanding 49-28 halftime lead.

Mykel had four three’s in the final quarter. His accuracy in the late game kept Salem from ever getting closer than eleven points.

Alex Sanchez (28 points) with Bengals everywhere

This was my first look at Salem’s Alex Sanchez. Talk about fast! He broke by and between some awfully good Brighton defenders to get to the rim. Most 5’6” players live long range but not Alex. He would dart to the rim without any encouragement.

This was a game played at such a pace that there actually were few fouls called. The shots went up that quickly for both squads.

Numerous Brighton players attempted to cover Alex Sanchez. In one of my pictures BHS coach Hugh Coleman looks as if he’s also part of the Bengals defense on Alex.