Nance(#3) and Elizabeth Smith defend a drive by Christianburg’s Katy Hoover. PHOTOS BY KUMN DAVIDSON-HAMLEY.
The Salem High girls will be looking to get back on the winning track Friday night at home after suffering their first loss of the season Tuesday night. Salem fell to 11-1 with a 67-32 loss to River Ridge District foe Patrick Henry. Gabby Crawley had 10 points to lead the Spartans on a tough night in Roanoke. The Class 5 Patriots improved to 9-4 on the season and their only loss to a Roanoke area team was a two point loss to archrival William Fleming the first week of December. The Spartans will look to rebound Friday with a home game against Pulaski County.
The Cougars came into the week at 5-5 overall and 2-2 in RRD games, and it will be the final game of the first half of Salem’s River Ridge District schedule. Salem opened 2024 with two road wins last week, winning games at Northside and Christiansburg. Last Wednesday Salem downed the Vikings in Roanoke County, 58-36, as the Spartans held Northside to just nine points in the first half. Bailey Rider led the Spartans with 12 points, 11 rebounds and eight steals while Charli Wynn had 11 points and Liz Smith had eight steals. “We had an excellent first half defensively,” said Jester.
On Friday in Christiansburg the Spartans scored the first 17 points of the game and never looked back, taking a 55-37 win. “We got off to a good start and from there we kept our poise and maintained our lead against a tough district opponent on the road,” said Jester. Emme Custer led Salem with 12 points and six rebounds while Rider had another all-around strong game with nine points, eight boards, eight steals and six assists.
The Spartans hosted 10-2 Magna Vista on Monday night and gave the visiting Warriors their third loss with a 60-47 win. The game was tied at the half but the Spartans pulled away after intermission for their 11th win. “We played a really good second half after being tied at halftime,” said Jester. “Magna Vista is a very solid defensive team so we knew we had to execute offensively down the stretch.” Custer came up big with 23 points to lead Salem while Crawley added 15 in the win. Next Tuesday, January 16, the Spartans will host E.C. Glass in a non-district game. Then they’ll open the second half of their River Ridge District schedule with a home game against Cave Spring on Friday, January 19.