From staff reports

SALISBURY — Zay Kesler scored 17 points to lead Salisbury’s boys basketball team to a 63-44 win against North Rowan on Saturday night at Catawba’s Goodman Gym.

Salisbury (9-4) led by eight at halftime and opened up a 16-point lead after three quarters.

Nate Brown scored 13 for the Hornets, while Latavian White had 11.

Brandon White scored 16 points to lead the Cavaliers (9-4).

NORTH (44) — White 16, Davis 7, Wilson 6, Goodes 5, Robinson 4, Carpenter 4, Jefferson 2

SALISBURY (63) — Kesler 17, Brown 13, White 11, Smith 7, Stout 5, Norman 4, Walker 4, Witherspoon 2.

N. Rowan   11   14   9   10   — 44

Salisbury    19   14  17 13   —63

SHS/North girls

SALISBURY — Salisbury’s girls basketball team has played a lot of games in the last week, but they keep winning.

The Hornets won their fifth straight on Saturday at Catawba’s Goodman Gym. They beat rival North Rowan, 48-32.

Freshman Kyla Bryant led the Hornets (13-1) with 16 points and is averaging 13.0 per game.

Hannah Wilkerson led North (10-5) with eight points.

“We played great team defense,” Salisbury coach Lakai Brice said. “We’ve had to grit it out with a lot of games this week. I was extremely proud of the efort and the patience we showed on the offensive end.”

SHS — Kyla Bryant 16, Gibson 8, Fulson 7, Huntley 6, Morgan 6, McCullough 3, Bolder 2

North   — Wilkerson 8, Taborn 7, Cannie 5, Robbins 5, Stoner 3, Lynch 2, McDaniel 2

Hoops Shoot

  Salisbury Elks Lodge No. 699 and Salisbury Parks and Recreation will hostthe annual Hoop Shootfree throw contest today at Hall Gym in Salisbury.

All participants must be registered by 1:30 p.m. The contest starts at 2  p.m.

The event is free and open to boys and girls, ages 8-13 (as of April 1, 2020).  Trophies will be awarded for first, second and third place.  Winners in each of the six divisions advance to the district competition on Saturday, Jan. 25, in Winston Salem.

Inaddition to the district level, there are state and regional competitions leading to the national championships in Chicago  in April.

Contact Liz Tennent, Event Coordinator at ectennent@gmail.com.

Parks and Rec

Salisbury Parks and Recreation  is  accepting registrations for its girls basketball, ages 7-15, and coed basketball, ages 5-6.

Cost is $30 per participant.

Register through Jan. 18 at Hall Gym or online at www.salisburync.gov/play.

Practices begin the end of January and games start in February.  Call 704-638-5289 for information.