The Salem High basketball team opened the New Year with a loss against Blacksburg at Salem High School Tuesday night. The Spartans put up a good fight against a talented team of Bruins but came out on the short end of a 58-44 score.
“They have all senior starters and experience means a lot,” said Salem coach Kevin Garst. “I thought we did some good things. We still have to do better at the things we can control, like boxing out and taking care of the ball.”
The Bruins led 9-8 after one quarter and just 29-24 at the half, then outscored the Spartans 21-10 in a decisive third quarter. Tanner Dallas led Salem with 21 points and Hunter Bayne had 10 as Salem dropped to 3-5 on the season.
Last Thursday the Spartans closed out 2021 with a 50-28 win over Staunton River at Salem High. Dallas had 20 points to lead the Spartans while Tyrell Green had 10, Bayne had eight and Chase Greer hit for seven.
Salem is back home tonight for a home game against George Wythe, and tomorrow night the Spartans are back in the River Ridge District with a trip to Cave Spring.