By Marny Hendrick

sports@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — The Salisbury girls had some jitters and some rebounding issues in their first home game Wednesday night, but it was not enough to prevent a solid, 43-26 non-conference win over Statesville.

The Hornets blew out to a 17-4 lead in the opening quarter and never let the Greyhounds get the deficit under double figures the rest of the way.  Yet, there were some frustrating dry spells in the middle quarters and problems keeping Statesville off the offensive boards.

“Their rebounding killed us in the second half,” Hornet Coach Lakai Brice said, “We gave them too many second chances. But our girls were nervous for our first home game in front of this crowd.”

The Hornets are now 6-1 for the new season with the first six games all on the road. Salisbury has already topped last year’s win total when its record was 5-19. Statesville, of the North Piedmont conference 3A/4A, fell to 0-4 with the loss.

Salisbury got a balanced effort from their freshman forward Bryanna Troutman with 15 points, 8 rebounds and 7 blocked shots down in the trenches. Sophomore Maria Capito rained in a trio of three pointers and scored 11. The top Hornet scorer, Tyzarea Alexander, sat out the first half by coach’s decision but came in after intermission to direct the attack and score 8 points.

“Ty is the heart and soul of our team and makes us go,” Brice said. “We are just better when she is in there.”

After falling well behind in the first quarter, Statesville battled back to trail, 23-13, at the half thanks to seven points from guard Maniya Shell. Freshman Danasia Gray led the Greyhounds with 8 for the game. Statesville trailed by 12 entering the fourth quarter, but the Hornets pulled away down the stretch on two baskets and two blocked shots by Troutman.

This team is so young and we need to work on our intensity,” Brice said. “But we are playing well together and they really like each other.”

The Hornets did not enjoy a good night at the foul line hitting just 5 of 18 but the Greyhounds were no better with just 5 of 14 free shots. Salisbury gets back in action with a game this Friday at North Stanly in New London.

Statesville (26) — Gray 8, Fields 5, Shell 4, Darr 3, Bailey 2, Privette 2, Jones 1, Lewis 1.

Salisbury (43) — Troutman 15, Capit0 11, Alexander 8, Phifer 4, T. Robinson 3, Hightower 2, Howard, Glenn, H. Robinson, Daniels

Statesville   4  9    5    8 — 26

Salisbury   17  6   7   13 — 43