Newton Citizen

The Heritage and Salem girls basketball teams collected covincing victories Saturday during local high school basketball action.

In boys action, Eastside and Salem each fell during the last quarter of play.

GIRLS

Heritage 55, Monticello 24

At Heritage, The Lady Patriots (2-2) cruised to a 31-point victory to collect their second win of the season.

According to Heritage coach Dave LaBarrie, it was the Lady Patriots' best game since losing Zanetta Gray to an injury suffered last Tuesday.

"We played better defense and executed better," LaBarrie said, "but we still have a long way to go."

Heritage's Sarah Herrington had a game-high 24 points.

Heritage hosts Madison County in Region 8-AAAA crossover game tonight at 6 p.m.

Salem 68, Apalachee 44

At Winder, the Lady Seminoles extended their winning streak to six after topping the Lady Wildcats.

Thanks to five players scoring in double figures, Salem (7-1) remains undefeated in region crossover games. Apalachee fell to 1-3, still winless in region (0-3).

Kentrell White scored a game-high 17 points for the Lady Seminoles, while Jaleen Thomas added 14.

"We started a little slow and leg weary from the game that we played on Friday night," Salem coach Bill Roberts said, "But finally we got rolling in the second quarter."

Salem's Precious Elkins had 12 points. Ariel Wynter recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Amber Johnson added 10 points and seven assists.

Salem squares off with visiting Winder-Barrow today at 6 p.m.

McIntosh 53, Eastside 27

At Eastside, the Lady Chiefs improved to 5-2 on the year after defeating the Lady Eagles (0-1) in their home opener

"We did not execute very well and got outplayed on both ends of the floor," Eastside coach Jason Grooms said.

Eastside's Raven Williams had a team-high 11 points.

"I thought that Carmen Robinson had a great defensive effort," Grooms said, "(but) there were not a lot of good highlights from this game."

Eastside next visits Hart County for its Region 8-AAA opener tonight at 6 in Hartwell.

BOYS

McIntosh 56, Eastside 55

At Eastside, McIntosh's Jeremy Lampkin hit the game-winning free throw in the final seconds of the fourth quarter to keep the Chiefs (6-0) undefeated.

"It was a tough loss that went down to the wire," Eastside coach Michael Gerald said. "But I saw a lot of good things, and I told them I was awfully proud of them. The kids played well."

Eastside's Neil Latimore scored a game-high 16 points. Jerome Ivey chipped in with 12.

Eastside (1-3) tips off at Hart County tonight at 7:30 to open Region 8-AAA play.

Apalachee 78, Salem 61

At Winder, the Seminoles (3-5) dropped their fifth game of the season after the Wildcats capitalized on a significant free-throw advantage.

"We played with a lot more energy than we have been lately," Salem coach Darren Wilkins said. "Guys were getting after it defensively, and we played pretty hard."

Salem's Terrence Bennett and Tevin Bradley each scored 14 points apiece. Darius Ferguson added 12.

Salem hosts Winder-Barrow tonight at 7:30.