Newton Citizen

SAVANNAH - Salem's basketball squads wrapped up play Saturday in the Savannah Holiday Classic.

The Salem boys (5-6) advanced to the final game of their bracket, but lost 62-43 to Windsor-Forest in the finals.

Still, Salem boys coach Darren Wilkins said he was pleased with the hard work his team put in to get to the finals.

"Anytime you go out of town, especially to a tournament that big, and finish second place, it is a good thing," Wilkins said. "The Savannah Holiday Classic is loaded with really good teams and we played three Savannah schools, so to go 2-1 in that tournament on their home courts is really good."

Zach Roddenberry led the offensive charge against Windsor-Forest with 14 points, while Julius Giles added eight.

Wilkins said he was most impressed with the way his team played all four quarters in each game of the tourney.

"We were concentrating on playing a complete game. In four of the games we've lost, we had a double-digit lead in the second or third quarter and we gave it up," Wilkins said. "The guys played solid in the tournament and that was what I was looking for."

Meanwhile, the Salem girls (6-5) finished off play in their bracket with a 54-42 loss to Jonesboro. The Lady Seminoles finished sixth in their bracket after going 1-2 in the tourney.

Against Jonesboro, Salem was led by Courtney Hurt's double-double - 28 points and 13 rebounds.

Salem girls coach Bill Roberts said the competition was even tougher than he expected it to be.

"It was quality competition. Beach is going to have a great season. I'm almost sure they ended up winning the tournament," Roberts said. "Jonesboro is also a team that's playing real well. Overall, it (the tournament) is a growing experience for the young kids. Once again, we didn't have Rebecca (Bradley). She's just not full strength, although I did play her sparingly in the last two games and she made a difference when she was in there."

Both Salem squads hit the floor again Jan. 5 at Mt. Zion in Jonesboro.

Brandon Evans can be reached at brandon.evans@rockdalecitizen.com.