The Salem High boys’ basketball team will have a chance to avenge one of their two losses when the Spartans play at Cave Spring High Friday night. Salem lost to Cave Spring in Salem on December 19, 63-52, and the Spartans have only lost one more time since.
“In the first game we played pretty well in the first half but we didn’t shoot well in the second half,” said Salem coach Kevin Garst. “We missed four or five outside shots decided to settle instead of taking the ball inside.”
The Spartans are 8-1 since that game and were riding a four game winning streak prior to Wednesday’s game with Lord Botetourt, which was too late for press deadlines. Last Friday in Dublin the Spartans pulled out a 62-60 River Ridge District win over host Pulaski.
“They’re dangerous,” said Garst. “They’re not tall but they can shoot the ball. They can beat anyone on a given night.”
Salem led 44-30 at the half and appeared to have the game under control. However, the Cougars came out firing after halftime and outscored Salem 22-4 in the third quarter to take a 52-48 lead into the final period. The Spartans regrouped and held off the Cougars to pick up a close win. Cam Boles and Gabe Martin had 14 each to lead Salem and Braylon Smith and Tanner Overstreet had a dozen each. Boles had nine rebounds and three assists.
“That was a good win for us against a good team, playing on the road,” said Garst.
On Monday the Spartans played at Alleghany, where the Cougars are coached by former Roanoke College forward Seth Bradley. Again the Spartans went up early, leading 31-22 at the half, but this time they didn’t give up the lead in the second half as they took a 66-59 win.
Oliver Gilliam led Salem in scoring with a season-high 15 points. Smith had 13, Elijah Paddyfote had 10 and Overstreet had eight points and 10 rebounds. Salem outrebounded Alleghany 34-21 and had 38 points in the paint compared to 16 for the Cougars.
With the win the Spartans improved to 12-2 overall. After hosting LB on Wednesday and playing at Cave Spring Friday they have three home games next week. Blacksburg is here Tuesday, Hidden Valley Friday and a make-up game with Mecklenburg on Saturday, January 31 at 3:30 pm.
