Selma dug its feet in defensively and held off Stanhope Elmore in a key class 6A, area 5 game Friday night.

The Saints (10-6) forced back to back steals in the final minute, both of which resulted in James Anderson free throws, and held on for a 57-52 victory. The win keeps Selma’s hopes of winning the area alive with one area game to go — a road contest at Stanhope on Jan. 20.

“It was a big area game for us and we knew how important it was coming into this ballgame and right now the area is tight,” said Selma assistant coach Ron Rembert. “Everybody has one loss in the area, and we felt like if we did what we needed to do on the floor, we could come out with a win tonight and it would put us in good position right now.”

The game was a bit sloppy most of the way, but Selma’s defense ended up making the deciding plays. After an explosive dunk by Stanhope’s Zechariah Byrd, the Mustangs pulled within 45-42.

Anderson knocked down two free throws and then scored on back to back steals and layups to put Selma up nine. Stanhope managed to get within five late, thanks to a steal off an inbounds pass, but the Saints held on.

“We were not playing cleanly or executing very well on the offensive end, but we were able to get into our press, force some turnovers and have our defense convert into some offensive plays for us,” Rembert said.

Anderson scored all 14 of his points in the second half and he led the Saints in scoring. Tommie Moore had 8 points and Jeffery Huff Jr. finished with 6 for the Saints.

Selma trailed 25-18 at the half, but outscored Stanhope 20-8 in the third quarter to take control. Selma did not trail at any point of the fourth quarter.

“I feel our guys overall are growing up on the basketball floor,” Rembert said. “Are we perfect? No, but we are doing things better in January than we were in early November, so I’m proud of our guys for that.”

If Selma wins its last area game, the Saints will be guaranteed to at least tie for the regular season area title.

The winner of the area gets to host the area tournament. In the result of a tie, the host site will be determined by a coin flip.

Next, the Saints will try to keep their momentum going against Park Crossing on Tuesday.
Selma 59, Stanhope Elmore 32 (Girls)

When they’re playing well, it’s hard to stop the Selma Saints (17-1).

On Friday night, Selma led by 30 at halftime and rolled to a 59-32 victory over area foe Stanhope Elmore.

The win keeps Selma undefeated in class 5A, area 6 play and one win away from clinching another area championship and an automatic berth into the sub-regional round of the playoffs.

Area 6 is only a three-team area, so the winner gets a bye in the first round of the area tournament.

Areyana Williams scored 22 points and pulled down 8 rebounds to lead the Saints. Kynadra Lewis, who had 14 points, and Jacquetta Dailey, who scored 11, were also in double figures.
Keith 46, Francis Marion 19 (Boys)

Kedarious Perry led Keith with 11 points as Keith dominated Francis Marion 46-19 in a class 2A, area 7 matchup.

Jimmie Powell added in another 10 points and 7 rebounds for the Bears (8-11), who improved to 2-2 in the area. Keith plays at Montgomery Academy on Saturday, their fourth game of the week.
Ellwood Christian 63, Maplesville 51 (Boys)

Loveless Craig scored 20 points and added 12 rebounds as Ellwood Christian topped Maplesville 63-51 on Friday night.

Duantrey Franklin had 17 points and 5 steals and A.D. Tate scored 10 points.
Meadowview Christian 77, Brooklane Baptist 61 (Boys)

Justin McGuire scored 31 points and pulled in 10 rebounds as the Trojans (9-3) knocked off Brooklane Baptist 77-61 Friday night.

Garrett Grantham and Kaymon McGuire joined Justin in double figures.

Garrett Grantham scored 17 points and had 6 rebounds and Kaymon had 16 points and 6 rebounds.

The Trojans play at Chilton Christian in their next game on Tuesday.
Meadowview Christian 51, Brooklane Baptist 8 (Girls)

Mallory Freine scored 32 points to lead Meadowview Christian past Brooklane Baptist 51-8 Friday night.

The Trojans (6-3) did not have anyone else in double figures. Erin McIntyre scored 5 points and Kalee Jones chipped in 4.
Southside 48, Wilcox Central 36 (Girls)

Christiana Watts scored 15 points as Southside (10-7) knocked off Wilcox Central 48-36 Friday night. Sharita Benjamin and Kylan Brown scored 7 points apiece for the Panthers. Southside will play at Montevallo Tuesday.
Monroe Academy 73, Morgan Academy 59 (Boys)

Morgan Academy rallied from a 14-point deficit to take the lead Thursday against Monroe Academy, only to watch the Volunteers rally back for a 73-59 win.

Britton Adams led the Senators (6-9) with 22 points. Sawyer Hopkins, who scored 14 points, and Dione Allen, who had 12, joined him in double figures.

The loss was Morgan Academy’s first area defeat of the year. Morgan is 2-1 in area play and has a rematch at Fort Dale in another area contest Tuesday.
Morgan Academy 44, Monroe Academy 40 (Girls)

Morgan Academy trailed most of the game Thursday night against Monroe, but when it mattered most, the Senators came up with the stops they needed. Ellie Adams scored 14 points as the Senators held on to defeat Monroe.

Abigail Lane was also in double figures with 10 points for Morgan.

Regan Hewitt scored 6 points and had one of the biggest shots of the game. Hewitt made a free throw with 9.0 seconds left that extended Morgan’s lead to four.