Spartans shoot 63 percent from the floor
The highlight of the Adam Ward Classic weekend for Salem fans was Friday night’s annual Salem-Glenvar boys’ game. When the tournament originated 10 years ago Buddy Ward, Adam’s father, requested that Salem and Glenvar play in the tournament every year. Buddy had been a coach at both schools.
The Spartans were favored and playing on their home court for this year’s game, and the result was an 85-52 Salem win. The Spartans jumped off to a 21-9 lead in the first quarter and upped the lead to 50-23 by the half. The more experienced Spartans slowed things down in the second half and eased to the win in front of a big crowd in the Salem High gym.
“Great environment for a high school basketball game,” said Salem coach Kevin Garst. “Glenvar has been playing really well. They are a hard team to prepare for and play against. Overall I thought we did a pretty good job of contesting their shooters. Offensively we had balanced scoring and we shot a higher percentage than we normally shoot.”
Salem shot 63 percent from the floor and held the Highlanders to 21 percent. The Spartans made 50 percent of their threes, draining 12 of 24, while Glenvar was just five for 36 for 13 percent, and that was a big difference.
“Great atmosphere,” said Glenvar coach Hank Luton. “We hung in early and needed to make some shots, and we just didn’t. The pace was great, the way we want to play. Problem is Salem made a ton of shots and we couldn’t get a few to go. Credit to them, they were motivated. When they play like that, they are one of the top teams in the state.”
Tanner Overstreet led Salem in scoring with 21 points on 10 for 14 shooting from the floor. Elijah Paddyfote was seven for 11, including four for six on threes, for 18 points and Jaydius Hamm made five of six overall and four of five on threes for 14 points. Cam Boles had 11 rebounds for Salem, including the 500th of his high school career, and Overstreet had seven assists.
Glenvar was led by Parker Doolan with 21 points and Jax Bolling had 17. Doolan was also high rebounder for the Highlanders with seven.
“Our kids didn’t quit, they never do,” said Luton. “Proud of them for continuing to battle.”
