WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – After an eight-day layoff since their last outing against Randolph on November 26, the Salem basketball team returns to action on Wednesday, December 4 when the Spirits host USA South foe N.C. Wesleyan in the league opener for both squads.
The game marks the first of five for Salem (0-5) in December, three of which will take place at Varsity Gym.
Salem enters the game in search of its first win of the season and the first in the coaching career of Quntashea Lewis. The Spirits are led offensively by first year Alize Brooks, who has scored 56 points by virtue of hitting 21-for-59 from the field and 8-of-22 from 3-point range. Teammate Sydney Bowen has also been a solid contributor for Salem with 41 points, knocking down 16-of-52 from the floor and 6-of-21 from beyond the arc.
Sophomore Lauren Privette, with a team-best 38 rebounds (24 defensive), and Aubrey Slaughter, who has contributed 36 rebounds (28 defensive) have anchored the middle for the Spirits. Salem has snagged 172 total rebounds due in large part to the contributions of Privette and Slaughter.
N.C. Wesleyan (4-2), which has won four of its last five games, is coming off a 66-62 setback to Mary Washington on Nov. 26. The Battling Bishops are 1-2 on the road, claiming a 78-63 win at Roanoke on Nov. 17 at the Jean Beamer Tip-Off Classic.
Kayla Johnson is the top offensive contributor for N.C. Wesleyan with 75 points, hitting 27-of-49 (34.2%) from the floor and 13-of-43 (30.2%) from 3-point range through the first six games. She is one of four players on the N.C. Wesleyan roster, along with Myrayna Watkins (71), Kayrisma Harrison (64) and Cydney Nichols (62) with at least 60 points.
The trio of Watkins, Harrison and Kneclya Tripp have provided the Battling Bishops with a 281-241 edge in rebounding in the early season. Tripp leads the way with 47 total boards (25 offensive), while Harrison is second on the team with 46 rebounds (25 defensive). Watkins has pulled in 41 rebounds, including a team-best 33 on the defensive end.
For more information on Salem basketball check out www.salemspirits.com.