By Blake Deshazo

The Selma Times-Journal

A dominant third quarter from Selma’s Michael Griffin put the nail in the coffin for Wilcox Central, as the Saints defeated the Jaguars 57-40.

“We got into the game mentally,” said Selma head coach Woodie Jackson. “In the first half we were playing too fast, and some of the kids had the jitters. We slowed down in the third quarter, and we were able to play not only better offensively, but defensively as well.”

The first quarter was back and forth, but 13 points from Selma’s starters gave the Saints a 13-9 lead to end the opening period.

The Jaguars refused to let the game get away from them, as they scratched and clawed their way back into the game with five points from Delvin Phillips. Back to back shots from Griffin helped Selma take a 28-25 lead into the locker room.

“Inexperience on our part and experience on their part is what made the difference in the game,” said Wilcox head coach Mark Dukes. “Michael Griffin kind of had his way with rebounds and going inside.

He scored 10 to 12 consecutive points. I’m satisfied with the effort. We’ve just got to learn and grow from it.”

The third quarter of play is what made the difference in the game, as the Saints marched away from the Jaguars. Griffin came alive, scoring nine straight points that would put Selma up 39-31.

“He played good because he was more focused tonight,” Jackson said. “He played big tonight. He’s capable of doing that. He’s a little man playing big. He’s a legit 5-foot-10, but he plays like he’s about 6-foot-10.”

Back to back three-point shots from Selma’s Alfred Robinson and Dexter Hatcher brought down the house, as the Saints took a 16-point lead over Wilcox.

The fourth quarter was smooth sailing for Selma, as the Saints limited Wilcox to just nine points while scoring 16 for themselves.

The victory gives Selma their ninth victory of the season and leaves them with a 9-1 record, while Wilcox got its fourth loss of the year and fell to 5-4.

Selma will play at Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa Tuesday.

 

Selma 52, Wilcox Central 28 (Girls)

Selma led by 20 at halftime and pulled away from Wilcox Central for a 52-28 victory.

“We had a good first half,” said Anthony Harris, head coach for the Lady Saints. “We got a little lackadaisical in the second half with too many turnovers. We didn’t play the defense late in the game like we played in the second quarter. We kind of just went through the motions.”

A 10-point run from the Saints put them up 28-10 with just three minutes left in the second quarter. Areyana Williams exploded in the period; scoring 16 of the 32 points she would finish the game with.

“Thirty-two points as a sophomore is something else,” Harris said. “That’s more points than she’s scored since she was put in the lineup.”

The victory puts Selma at 8-4 on the season, while Wilcox fell to 4-2.