Thanksgiving holiday doesn’t slow down undefeated Selma

Published 7:04 pm Friday, November 25, 2016

Most of us are a bit sleepy the day after Thanksgiving, given all the family time, big meals and shopping. The Selma Saints looked as refreshed as ever.

Selma won two games Friday over Francis Marion and Clarke County to clinch a spot in the school’s Thanksgiving tournament championship game Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. Neither game was close, with the Saints rolling past Clarke County 67-42 and then dominating Francis Marion 71-24.

“They played pretty sound ball today,” said Selma coach Anthony Harris.

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Selma put on a show with its passing in both games, which was highlighted by the team’s balanced scoring. Areyana Williams scored 22 points and 18 against Francis Marion to lead the team with 40 points Friday. Most of her shots were fairly easy ones, thanks to passes from Kynadra Lewis and Jacquetta Dailey.

Jamya Smith made six 3-pointers and averaged 13 points per game Friday.

In all, 10 players scored for Selma in the two games.

“We ran our offense and scored on offense,” Harris said. “I’m trying to simplify it a little bit more.”

It looked pretty simple on Friday. The Saints ran up and down the floor and made it look easy.

Against Francis Marion, Selma led 35-7 at halftime and quickly upped its lead in the third quarter.

Williams made the first basket of the second half after a great inside pass by Smith.On the next two possessions, Smith drove to the rim for a layup and made a 3-pointer to put Selma up 42-11.

Any thoughts of a Rams’ comeback were buried at that point.

The Saints (5-0) will play Greensboro in Saturday’s championship game. Greensboro defeated Keith in the tournament’s other semifinal game.
Greensboro 47, Keith 35 (Girls)

In Friday’s other semifinal game, Greensboro defeated Keith 47-35 Friday morning. No stats were provided for this game.
Wetumpka 51, Dallas County 36 (Boys)

Dallas County fell behind by 13 at halftime and couldn’t recover in a 51-36 loss to Wetumpka.

Mario Simmons and Josh Benford scored 8 points apiece to lead Dallas County (1-1). The Hornets will play Saturday against Selma at noon.

Selma 58, Wetumpka 52 (Boys)

Tommie Moorer scored 19 points and had 14 rebounds as Selma defeated Wetumpka 58-52 Friday.

Jeffery Huff Jr. also added 12 points and Ivan Williams had nine.