SALEM VICTORIOUS IN THE JUNGLE
NEW MIDDLETOWN, Ohio –
Salem junior, Trent Fink, started the game off with his highest scoring quarter of the night, dropping 10 points in the first to pace the Quakers highest scoring period at 20. Springfield took a more balanced approached to start the game, having 6 different Tigers combine for an opening 14 points.
In the second quarter, the Quakers would dominate early gaining a lead as many as 16 points, before the Tigers would close the gap back down to 6. Another short Salem run would send the score into the break with the Quakers ahead by 10, 35-25.
Smothering defense and shots from long range was the story throughout the third quarter for Salem, allowing the Quakers to take a 14-pointlead into the final stanza. Fink would connect on two shots from deep in the quarter and Caden Swiger nailed a fadeaway three at the buzzer.
Down but not out, the Tigers came roaring back in the final period. Led by monster efforts from Dylan Sheely, Aiden Appel, and Seandell Gardner,the trio combined for all 22 of the Tigers’ fourth quarter points. Springfield was able to cut the Quaker lead from 14 all the way to a tie ball game with less than 3 minutes to play.
Unfortunately for the Tigers, the push to draw even would prove to be too much, as the Quakers would escape New Middletown with a victory, 63-59.
LEADING SCORERS –
SPRINGFIELD:
Dylan Sheely – 13 points
Seandelle Gardner – 11 points
Sean Guerreiro – 9 points
Aiden Appel – 7 points
SALEM:
Trent Fink – 25 points
Lance Bailey – 19 points
Caden Swiger – 8 points
Springfield– Already matching their loss total from last season at two, the Tigers will face their first road test of the season this coming Friday in Columbiana, against the Crestview Rebels (1-1). Since 2007, the Tigers hold a 23-1 record against Crestview. The last Rebel win came back in 2010.
Salem – After bouncing back from their losing effort against Alliance, the Quakers will finally have their first home game on the young season this Friday, in a bout with the Minerva Lions (1-1). The Quakers have won the last 5 matchups in a row.
*Contributed By YSN’s Jamie Thomson
