By Matt Cole
The Demopolis Times

YORK — The Greenville Tigers outlasted the Selma Saints Friday night in the boys Class 5A, Area 6 tournament.

Greenville took an early lead and was able to hold on in the final minutes to keep their season alive. Selma’s season came to an end with the 61-58 loss.

“We played hard. We just didn’t get it done tonight,” Selma head coach Woodie Jackson said.

In the opening minutes of the game, Greenville was shooting the ball well and creating turnovers, which put the Saints in an early hole.

Selma only had three players score in the first quarter, and the Saints trailed 18-12 after one.

The Saints played stifling defense at the start of the second quarter on their way to an 8-0 run to take a 20-18 lead. Greenville scored their first points of the quarter with 5:15 to go in the quarter. The teams traded baskets and possessions the rest of the quarter and entered the locker room at halftime knotted at 28.

Aderick Moore was leading the way for Selma at halftime with 10 points. Keshawn Ford had eight points for the Saints at the break.

Greenville jumped ahead in the third quarter and led by as many as 8, but Selma closed the gap as the quarter came to an end.

The Tigers led the Saints 41-39 heading into the final frame.

Selma hit two quick shots to take a 43-41 lead early in the fourth quarter, but Greenville wasn’t phased. The Tigers grabbed the lead back and never relinquished it the rest of the game.

“We had too many turnovers early on,” Jackson said. “We missed some easy shots, and they were able to take advantage of that.”

Kahmaul Jones had a huge second half for Selma to finish the game with 23 points. Moore finished the game with 16 points. For Greenville, they were led by Javarrius Cheatham, who finished the game with 17 points.

Also in double figures for the Tigers were Zaccheus Smith with 14 and Ra’Heem Moore with 10 points.