Cairo Boys Win Fifth Straight Tournament Title, Second Straight Salisbury Title

The Cairo Bearcats won their second straight Salisbury Tournament title, and South Shelby secured third at Salisbury High School’s Dome Saturday night.

The Bearcats knocked the hosts off 63-54. After trailing 9-8, Cairo ended the first quarter with 8-0 run. In the third quarter, Salisbury senior Luke Abeln scored all 15 Panthers points. The margin was brought down to one possession, but Cairo’s point guard had a pair of responses.

Scott Lunte with the call of Ryan Tracy’s two triples on 99.9 The Captain and centralmoinfo.com. Salisbury tied the game at 40 late in the third quarter, but they never could retake the lead. Panthers coach Kenny Wyatt said Salisbury was out-executed down the stretch.

Abeln finished with 24 points. Salisbury kept the game within one possession at multiple times in the fourth quarter. Fouls and made free-throws extended Cairo’s lead to nine. Coach Nic Zenker and the Bearcats have now won five consecutive tournament titles dating back to last year.

Senior Bryce Taylor had a game-high 25 points. Cairo moves to 11-1 and hosts Sturgeon Tuesday night on Glory 97. Salisbury drops to 5-2 and welcomes Paris Tuesday night.

In the third place game, South Shelby bested Glasgow 60-37. The Cardinals received offensive contributions from all but one player, and also held the Yellowjackets to 15 first half points. Cardinals coach Dalton Amontrout called this South Shelby’s most complete game of the season.

Senior Cole Mitchell had a game-high 27 points. South Shelby surpasses last year’s win total and are now 6-6. Glasgow is now 1-7. After not playing in their home tournament earlier this year due to quarantines, coach Mick Cropp offered his takeaways from Glasgow’s first tournament this year.

South Shelby travels to Knox County Monday, while Glasgow welcomes New Franklin Tuesday.

In Salisbury’s South Gym, Meadville took home the consolation trophy 33-25 over Carrollton, and Paris won the seventh place trophy over Norborne 53-28.

You can hear the full postgame interviews with the coaches online below:

Cairo coach Nic Zenker: