By Ryan Bisesi
rbisesi@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — Salisbury’s girls rebounded from one snapped streak and continued another Monday night.
The Hornets defeated South Iredell 81-45 in the first round of the state playoffs on their home floor. Salisbury, holders of the last three 2A state championships, kept its playoff slate for the last four years clean.
“Our mentality is in playoff mode,” Salisbury coach Chris McNeil said. “These young ladies know that you lose and you go home.”
Brielle Blaire scored a game-high 21 points and Doreen Richardson added 15 for Salisbury. For South, Lakia Hall scored 14 points while Kaylee Johnson added 13 and Aaliyah Jackson netted 10.
Salisbury was coming off a loss to Thomasville in the Central Carolina Conference tournament championship, its first conference defeat in 37 games.
The Vikings kept it close until Salisbury (24-3) hit five straight field goals late in the first quarter. Doreen Richardson got a steal and a layup and Vashti Usry scooped in an easy two for a 20-7 lead. The Hornets led 22-10 after the first eight minutes. Usry added 13 points.
“They’re a pretty good team,” South coach Michael Fisher said of Salisbury. “I was missing three girls from the starting rotation and they did what they needed to do.”
South ended its season 14-12.
Blaire, who started slow, had a putback and a 3 at the start of the second quarter to make it 27-10.
Salisbury led 42-17 at halftime and didn’t let up, going on a 13-3 run to start the second half. Salisbury may have lost Nyasia Harris for the rest of the season after Harris dislocated her right elbow in the third quarter.
“They capitalized on our mistakes and played pretty aggressive defense,” Fisher said.
SOUTH IREDELL (45) — Hall 14, Johnson 13, Jackson 10, Stanley 6, Poston 2, Burby, Saddler, Hayden, Barnett.
SALISBURY (81) — B. Blaire 21, Richardson 15, Usry 13, Harmon 9, Caldwell 9. Connor 7, Wolf 5, A. Blaire, Harris, Okonmah-Obazee.
S. Iredell 10 7 12 16 — 45
Salisbury 22 20 24 15 — 81