Selma used its defense to pull away — and then hold on — in a 60-48 victory over Chilton County Friday in the Thanksgiving Shootout Tournament. 

The Saints (6-0) actually trailed 26-23 at halftime, but used a 23 point third quarter to take a 10-point lead into the final quarter. In the third quarter, Selma converted steals into fastbreak points to put the Bulldogs into a hole.

“I told them at halftime that we were just three points down,” said Selma head coach Anthony Harris.

“We went up on them and never looked back.”

Three steals by Areyana Williams led to scores by Selma and the Bulldogs couldn’t seem to find an answer for Kynadra Lewis, who scored 10 of her 18 points in the third quarter. Harris said he told Lewis earlier in the day that she’s got to look to score the ball more.

“We talked to her today and said ‘you don’t look to score,” Harris said. “You’ve got to score and that is going to help it open up a little bit.”

With 4:44 left to play, Selma led 52-37 and looked sure to coast to its fifth straight win. Instead, a myriad of turnovers paired with some timely shots by Clarke County kept it close. The Bulldogs pulled within seven with 2:38 left but managed only three points the rest of the way.

Clarke missed two layups in that span that could’ve made things really interesting.

Selma won all three of its games in the round robin tournament and stayed unbeaten on the year.

Jamya Smith finished the game with 14 points, including four 3-pointers.

She missed her first four before shots from the outside before finding her rhythm. Jacquetta Dailey had eight points and Williams added another six.

Selma is 6-0 for the first time in at least four years, Harris said.

The Saints will host Chilton County in their first area game Tuesday against Chilton County.

 

Selma 56, Quitman 37 (Girls)

Behind 16 points from Areyana Williams, the Selma girls won their first game Friday 56-37 over Quitmna.Jamya Smith scored 14 points for the Saints and Jacquetta Dailey added 11.