By Robert Hudson

The Selma Times-Journal

 

The Selma Saints were able to hold off a late comeback attempt, as they defeated the rival Southside Panthers 58-49 on the road Saturday.

Selma head basketball coach Woodie Jackson said the Saints (6-4) played hard and were able to carry over the momentum from Friday’s win over Keith High School.

“We played hard, played kind of smart and consistent all night,” Jackson said. “We had lots of hustle. We played well last night and carried that over to tonight.”

The Saints would enter the fourth quarter with a 46-37 lead, having been in control since early in the second quarter, but the Panthers (5-5) would try to claw their way back in the game, as Devonte Brown scored under the basket to make it 46-39 with 6:52 left to play.

The Panthers would force a turnover on the next possession, as Mario Oliver picked the pocket of Selma’s Darion Alexander and passed to Jeffery Mack who finished the fast break with a layup to make the score 46-41 with 6:27 left.

But the Saints would answer back, as Kerry Mitchell would score down low to extend Selma’s lead to 48-41 with 5:56 left.

After the Panthers couldn’t score on their next possession, the Saints would continue their run as Tavarius Murry would hit a runner in the lane to put Selma up 50-41 with 5:17 left.

After a pair of trips to the line by both teams and baskets by Mitchell and Mack, the Saints would hold a 54-44 lead, when Mario Oliver would score on a fast break layup after another steal to make the score 54-46 with 3:15 left.

Devonte Richardson would hit a three to put the Panthers within five at 54-49, but the Saints would eat up the clock on their next possession and cap it of with a score under the basket by Quinterrius Rogers to put the game out of reach.

Cedric Brown, head coach of the Panthers, said his team still has a lot to learn after a tough home loss.

“When they made that run, they kind of kept it up,” Brown said. “We kind of matched them basket for basket. No disrespect to Selma, Selma’s a good team, but we have to grow as a team. Southside has to grow as a team.”

Alexander led the Saints with 14 points and 3 rebounds, while Mitchell added 10 points and 11 rebounds for Selma.

Mack led the Panthers with 12 points, while Oliver added 11 points and Sammarkus Jones added 10 points for the Panthers.

The Panthers will begin area play on Monday, Dec. 12 when they travel to Jemison.

The Saints will travel to Hayneville on Tuesday, Dec. 13 to play Central Hayneville.