Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, December 16, 1993 TAG: 9312160182
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B5 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
The Spartans opened their boys' basketball season Tuesday night by blasting Blacksburg 72-50 in a non-district game on the Spartans' court.
A quicker Salem team than last year's Blue Ridge District champion hit seven three-point plays and did a lot more fast breaking.
"I was pleased with our defense," said Salem coach Charlie Morgan, whose Spartans forced many of the 32 turnovers committed by Blacksburg.
"The kids had some bad habits last year. They had played that way for a long time and you don't break those habits in one year," added Morgan, who is beginning his second season as the Salem coach. "We're not big inside and we can't muscle with anyone. So we did a good job playing team defense. We had people rotating, helping each other out. Last year people would be glued to sticking to their man."
Offensively, 1993 All-Timesland player Mark Byington put in 22 points, dished out five assists and had three of Salem's 16 steals. He also had seven rebounds. Byington hit three of 11 3-point attempts and was 9-of-20 overall.
"Mark didn't have good control of the ball. To shoot well, you have to have good control until you let it fly. I'll let Mark do that because he's a smart player and he always has the green light," Morgan said.
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by CNB