Mike Walsh was a one-man wrecking crew all night, but he was a cool-handed sharpshooter when it mattered most.
He sank a pair of free throws with 18 seconds left to provide the boys the margin of victory over a relentless Salem team that clawed its way back from a woeful first quarter when they fell behind by as many as 15 points.
Walsh led all scorers with 23 points, including 7 of 9 free throws. His constant drives to the basket were key to Swampscott holding off the Salem wildfire attack that included 10 three-point field goals.
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The Blue led 15-2 at the end of the first quarter but by halftime, Salem had narrowed the difference to 6, 32-38. The Witches grabbed their first lead of the game with 3:44 left, creeping ahead 50-49. The lead seesawed until Swamspcott tied the game at 53 with 1:27 left. From them on, only Walsh could score as both teams missed shots and free throws as the clocked ticked away.
Salem was led by junior Christian Duston, whose 17 points included 9 from three-point land.
