The Selma girls’ basketball team is back on track.

Areyana Williams scored a career high 29 points as the Saints (23-4) squeaked by Anniston 64-54. Williams’ also led Selma with 12 rebounds as part of a double-double.

“I think she has finally found herself again under that basket,” said Selma head coach Anthony Harris.

“I think it’s because of that injury she had. She was very skeptical of that arm. Tonight, she turned herself loose, and we had a mismatch a couple of times. She played on both ends on the floor.”

The Saints had lost two in a row before winning at Wilcox Central Friday night. On Saturday, they had their hands full with Anniston.

The Bulldogs had a 17-16 lead after a 3-point play by Raven Cooley, who led Anniston with 18 points.

Selma responded with a 12-3 run before halftime to take a 22-18 lead into the break. During the run, Jacquetta Dailey forced a steal leading to a layup, and Jamya Smith knocked down a deep jumper in the final seconds of the second quarter.

Selma never trailed in the second half, although Anniston kept it close.

Miajah Bullock drove for a layup to pull Anniston with one in the third quarter. Williams scored 13 of Selma’s 19 points in the third quarter, helping the Saints take a 47-41 lead after the third period. She didn’t cool off in the fourth quarter either as she scored another eight points to help Selma put the game away.

Dailey scored 13 points, and Smith made a 3-pointer and had 12 points for the Saints. Kynadra Lewis and Charmekia Moore were the only other Selma players that made a basket.

The Saints will play their regular season finale Friday against Demopolis on senior night.

 

Anniston 56, Selma 38 (Boys)

Injuries have been a problem for Selma all season, but it was never more clear than Saturday how much all those lost players have affected the Saints (9-15).

Selma dressed only seven players against Anniston Saturday, and it showed in the second half as the Bulldogs pulled away for a 56-38 victory.

“[Anniston] also played last night, and they played a good team in Talladega. And they rode down here,” said Selma head coach Woodie Jackson. “I don’t look for excuses. I really don’t. I just take what I’ve got and keep moving.”

The Saints have lost three players for the season due to injuries and another key contributor left the team. Two players in uniform for the Saints were added to the roster on Jan. 6, so Jackson is still teaching them the fundamentals of the game.

On Saturday, the Saints had too much experience to beat an eighth ranked Bulldogs team.

Anniston led 18-9 at the end of the first quarter and controlled the entire first half. Selma’s Marshall Woods knocked down a 3-pointer before the break to pull the Saints within 29-18, but Anniston didn’t waste time upping its lead in the third quarter.

The Bulldogs outscored Selma 19-8 in the third quarter to close the door on any kind of comeback attempt.

Kentravious White led Selma in scoring with 13 points.

He was the only Saints’ player in double figures.