By Robert Hudson

The Selma Times-Journal

 

The Selma High School Lady Saints would jump out to an early first-quarter lead and would never tie or trail the rest of the way, as they defeated the Demopolis Lady Tigers 33-22 Tuesday at Wallace Community College-Selma.

Anthony Harris, head coach of the Lady Saints (6-2, 1-0), said his team had to have this win after a tough loss last week.

“We needed this one, it was our first area game,” Harris said. “Going back to Friday’s game, we dropped a heartbreaker to Greensboro and we knew we had to step it up.”

The Lady Saints started the scoring on the night with a Brianna Richardson three, and would go on a 6-0 run to open the game.

The Lady Saints would take a 15-9 lead into the half, but the Lady Tigers (0-2, 0-1) would fight back, cutting the score to 17-14 with 4:48 left in the third quarter.

But that was as close as Demopolis would get for the rest of the night, as the Lady Saints would hold them off with strong defense the rest of the way. Harris said his team got strong play from the point guard position, which he said it will need after losing starter Jonishia Jackson for six weeks earlier in the season, but the Lady Saints still have much to improve on.

“Kendra McCovery stepped it up for us at the point guard position,” Harris said. Turnovers are still a problem for us, we’re right at 20 turnovers per game. Free throws, we were okay tonight. We need outside shooting. Other than that, they played good ball tonight.”

Jameneshia Caver led the Lady Saints with 12 points, while Corneisha Perkins led the Lady Tigers with 7 points.

In the men’s game, what started as a close, back-and-forth battle, turned into a rout, as the Selma Saints boys basketball team defeated the Demopolis Tigers 63-42 Tuesday at Wallace Community College-Selma in the first area game of the season.

Saints’ head coach Woodie Jackson said his team got it together after a sluggish start.

“Second half, we woke up, played with a little more energy, a little more fire,” Jackson said. “First half, we just kind of went through the motions.”

The Saints (3-4, 1-0) would trail the Tigers (1-2, 0-1) entering the second quarter, as Demopolis would open up an 18-11 lead with 2:10 remaining in the first half.

Selma would climb back in the game, as Quinterrius Rogers would convert a three-point play after being fouled on a layup making the score 18-14.

After a defensive stop, the Saints would come right back down the court and Kerry Mitchell would score down low to make it 18-16 with 1:35 left in the half.

After a pair of successful free throws by Darion Alexander tied the game at 18-18, the Saints would take the lead on their next possession, as Tavarius Murry would hit a three to make the score 21-18 with 1:10 left in the half.

Selma would take a 24-20 lead into the half, and would come out and take a 39-29 lead after three quarters. Selma outscored Demopolis 24-13 in the final quarter. Murry had 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Mitchell had 12 points and 11 rebounds for Selma. Demario Gunn also added 11 points for the Saints.

Both the Selma boys and girls teams will travel to Southside High School Saturday due to a change in the schedule.