The Salem High boys’ basketball team will be back in action Friday when the Spartans host Pulaski County in the SHS gym. The Spartans are looking for their first win of the new year after falling to area powers Northside and Cave Spring last week.
The Cougars are 3-8 on the season after defeating James River in the Chance Harman Classic in Floyd last week. Pulaski comes into the week at 1-2 in the River Ridge District with a win over Hidden Valley and losses to Patrick Henry and Christiansburg. Salem is 6-8 overall and 1-4 in the district. “There aren’t any easy teams in this district,” said Salem coach Kevin Garst. “Pulaski has a couple guys who can shoot it and they’re competitive every night.”
The Spartans had a tough schedule to open the new year as they took on undefeated Northside and once beaten(by Northside) Cave Spring last week. Against Northside the Vikings swept the season series with a 75-44 win.
The Vikings jumped on top 22-10 after one quarter and coasted to the win. They shot 51 percent from the floor and scored 38 points in the paint. Clayton Davidson led the Spartans with 11 points. On Friday Salem fell behind 32-14 at the half but outscored the Knights 29-23 in the second half to keep the score respectable with a final of 55-43. The much taller Knights held just a one rebound edge, 27-26, for the game.
“We held them to four offensive rebounds for the game,” said Garst. “That’s something we’ve been working on and our kids played hard. They never gave up.”
Grant Clemens hit four of seven three point attempts and led Salem with 14 points. Ryan Coe had eight points and seven rebounds for the Spartans as they finished a rough week against two Class 3 state contenders. “When you play teams like that they expose your weaknesses and you know what you have to work on,” said Garst. “You have to play really well just to stay with them, and we keep working to get better.” Next Tuesday, January 17, Salem is at Patrick Henry and a week from tonight the Spartans are at Christiansburg.