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Gallant Effort: Salem big man stars while playing with a heavy heart

Tuesday, December, 22 By Michael Muldoon
Staff writer

 LAWRENCE — Joe Gallant's grandfather would have been proud of him.

Gallant, a promising 6-4 junior at Salem High, is dedicating the season to his grandfather, longtime Methuen resident Joseph "Cliff'' Gallant, who died of a heart attack on Dec. 6.

 Gallant's effort (12 rebounds, 14 points, 12 coming in the first half) helped the Blue Devils roll past Greater Lawrence Tech, 67-33, last night in the opening game of the 35th annual Greater Lawrence Christmas Tourney.

He was backed by senior guard Alex LaRosa, who pumped in a game-high 25 points and dished out eight assists, and junior forward Mike Lorenz, who pulled in eight rebounds.

Next up for Salem (1-1) is a meeting with two-time defending champion Central Catholic on Sunday in the semifinals.

"We were really close,'' said Gallant of his grandfather. "Now this season is for him. (Salem coach E.J.) Perry hung up his obituary in the locker room.''

Last year, Gallant started but he was the fifth option. A distant fifth. He averaged 3.8 points a game while Eagle-Tribune All-Stars Josh Jones, Mike Kimball and LaRosa carried the load.

This year, the Blue Devils need scoring.

"It has really changed. I have to be in scoring mode,'' said Gallant, who had 21 points in Salem's opener.

Now he's a confident veteran. Last year, not so much

"The first few games, I was scared out of my mind," admitted Gallant, who starred in the fall for the Blue Devils' state champion volleyball team.

There is something scary on the horizon ... Central's 6-11 center Carson Desrosiers.

"It will be a little intimidating,'' said Gallant, who has been playing against 6-5 former Salem star Chris White to get ready. "I know what he can do. I've been looking forward to this since the drawing (of opening round games). I knew if we got past Greater Lawrence (we'd probably play Central).''

Tourney Schedule
(all games at Lawrence High)

Last Night

Game 1: Salem 67, Greater Lawrence 33; Game 2: Central Catholic 66, Methuen 35
Wednesday, Dec. 23
Game 3: Andover vs. North Andover, 6 p.m.; Game 4: Lawrence vs. Pinkerton, 7:45 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 27
Consolations
Game 5: Greater Lawrence vs. Methuen, 2:30 p.m.; Game 6: Game 3 loser vs. Game 4 loser, 4:15 p.m.
Semifinals
Game 7: Methuen vs. Central Catholic, 6 p.m.; Game 8: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 7:45 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 29
7th-place game: Game 5 loser vs. Game 6 loser, 1:15 p.m.; 5th-place game: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 3 p.m.; 3rd-place game: Game 7 loser vs. Game 8 loser, 6 p.m. Championship game: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 8 p.m.