By David Shaw
dshaw@salisburypost.com
TYRO ó As good as Salisburyís defense was Saturday night, its offense was even better.
The Hornets forced 32 turnovers and limited host West Davidson to seven field goals in an 82-22 CCC yawner. With the ball in its hands, SHS turned the game into a high-percentage layup drill as all 11 players in uniform scored.
ěThe young ladies were clicking on all cylinders tonight,î coach Chris McNeil said after Salisbury (12-1, 3-0) earned its 12th straight victory. ěThey were hungry once again. They played very unselfish and this is how it turned out.î
Senior Olivia Rankin led the Salisbury scoring parade with 18 points in about half-a-game of action. Three others cracked double figures.
ěThereís a reason theyíre the No. 1 team in the state,î West coach David Klinkoski said after the Dragons (1-10) fell to 0-3 in conference play. ěWe tried playing a zone because size-wise we canít match up with them. Their length and size was too much for us.î
Salisbury quickly turned the match into a hearty round of batting practice. It led 7-3 before using 10 straight layups to fuel a 20-0 scoring spree. By halftime it was 40-8, thanks in part to Carrie Thompsonís set shot from the left elbow and Najwa Allisonís floater down the lane.
ěAgainst every team we just come out and play like we need to play,î senior Jessica Heilig said. ěThis is what worked. Itís not just this team. We practice like this every day.î
Another scoring flurry ó this one 23 unanswered points to start the second half ó gave SHS a 55-point edge. They were relaxed and giggling during a third-period timeout, providing a snapshot with the caption ëAll is well in Hornetland.í
ěWe werenít missing,î said Rankin. ěIt got to the point that they had no rhythm at all. If they could have made an open shot, it might have been a closer game.î
McNeil was simply pleased with Salisburyís continued improvement. ěI preach fundamentals and tonight they played like they understood that,î he said. ěIíve said it before. Weíre gonna get everybodyís best every night. Weíre not gonna stop doing what we know we can do.î
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NOTES: Freshman Brielle Blaire came off the bench and had 12 points and seven rebounds for Salisbury. Ashia Holmes did the dishes (8 assists) and Doreen Richardson contributed 10 points and six steals. … SHS visits Central Davidson on Wednesday.
SALISBURY (82) ó Rankin 18, Blaire 12, Heilig 10, Richardson 10, Thompson 7, Ay.Holmes 7, Hicks 6, Allison 4, Miller 4, As.Holmes 2, Feamster 2.
WEST DAVIDSON (22) ó Norman 9, McElveen 3, Hutchinson 3, Eller 3, Michael 2, Hairston 2.
Salisbury 19 21 27 15 ó 82
W. Davidson 3 5 6 8 ó 22