Salisbury Again Uses Magic Number 20 to Clinch State Title Win

For the second time in as many nights Salisbury broke a third quarter tie with a 20-point fourth quarter as they defeated Principia 55-46 for the Class 2 State Championship. The game was tied 35-35 entering the fourth quarter. Salisbury opened the final frame on a 9-0 run. Cooper Francis helped spearhead the charge.

Colin Schowe with the call on 99.9 The Captain and centralmoinfo.com. Francis led the Panthers for the second straight game with 21 points. Principia cut the deficit back to 3 with two minutes remaining in regulation. Hayden Wooldridge provided the necessary separation for Salisbury.

Wooldridge scored nine of his 13 points in the final quarter. Ethan Hamilton closed the game out by going 6-6 at the free throw line. Coach Kenny Wyatt said a defensive switch in the 4th quarter did the trick.

The win gives Salisbury its second state title in program history. It also capped a tumultuous week with the passing of teammate London White. After the game, White’s mother was allowed on the floor to receive his medal and be the first to touch the championship trophy. Wyatt summed up the lessons learned from the week and season.

Salisbury concludes the season with a record of 29-3. They graduate seniors Ethan Hamilton, Eli Wekenborg, Ryan Binder, Aidan West and Jaxon Green from this year’s team.

Salisbury coach Kenny Wyatt