2009.03.11
FINAL: Salem 60, Hidden Valley 54, 2 OT
VHSL BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
GROUP AA DIVISION 4 BOYS
FINAL: Salem 60, Hidden Valley 54, 2 OT
RICHMOND -- Stephen Barnette hit two field goals in the second overtime and Salem held on for a 60-54 victory over Hidden Valley to put the Spartans into Saturday's 9 p.m. championship game.
Jerome Hairston led Salem with 21 points including a dunk that sealed the game in the final minute. Barnette added 11 points for the Spartans (18-10), who will face Courtland in the final at VCU's Siegel Center.
Hidden Valley (16-14) saw its season end in a state semifinal for the third year in a row. Zach Barrett scored a game-high 25 points for the Titans. Greg Coots added 11 points. Chad Earhart tied the game with a 3-pointer with 2:13 left in the first overtime and neither team scored until the second OT.
The win was Salem's fourth in six games against Hidden Valley this season.
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I'm not familiar with Salem High. Can anyone tell me about them?! Do they have any present or future Division 1 prospects?! Thanks!
Comment by Nelson — March 11, 2009 @ 8:43 pm
Probably not. However if you follow high school sports in VA,you have to be familiar with Salem High School. They are a perennial power in AA football.
Comment by andy — March 12, 2009 @ 6:04 am
that is my school
Comment by jonell rochford — March 12, 2009 @ 2:15 pm
Salem's point guard Hairston is a potential D-1 player. This team had to beat a poor Blacksburg team in OT in the district to advance but have been en fuego ever since.
Comment by Mike — March 12, 2009 @ 4:17 pm
If any one ever doubted Troy Wells (and why would they) this had to be one of the best coaching jobs in quite a while.
Comment by Mike — March 12, 2009 @ 4:19 pm
Agreed, Hairston (a sophomore) has D1 potential. I also think the Barnette twins, with some more development, could be impact players at the low major conference level (Radford, VMI, etc.). They are phenomenal athletes, but still have a lot of growing to do, basketball-wise. Another sophomore, Seth Carroll, has the potential to play college ball at some level; D2 or D3, if not low major. Donte Harvey is another exceptional athlete, but football might be his strong suit.
Comment by Spartan80 — March 12, 2009 @ 11:39 pm
We have a photo gallery from the Salem-Hidden Valley game:
http://blogs.roanoke.com/rtblogs/sosalem/2009/03/11/photos-of-salems-2-ot-victory-over-hidden-valley-in-state-semi-finals/
Comment by Dwayne Yancey — March 13, 2009 @ 9:21 am
Jerome Hairston Jr. DOES have all the makings of a future D1 player. Roanoke Catholic's loss is definitely Salem's gain. Think Garst is beginning to recognize this, late into this season. This is THE kid to watch in the Roanoke Valley.
Comment by lvball — March 13, 2009 @ 12:30 pm
Yes, Hairston is talented, but I think coach Garst knew that. In my opinion, the problem up until this year's district tournament was Hairston himself. He definitely had problems with selfishness and discipline (on the court). He's not the only one on the team that had those problems. Somehow, Hairston and the rest of the Spartans seem to have left most of that behind, and decided to play team ball. If he can keep his attitude straight and ego in check, the sky could be the limit.
Again, this is strictly my opinion, based on alot of years of watching high school ball. I'm rooting for Hairston, and it's not my intent to badmouth a kid in a public forum. He is only fifteen or sixteen, after all. Let's just say he still has some maturing to do - which is probably true of all of us.
Comment by Spartan80 — March 13, 2009 @ 7:28 pm
This has been a very interesting season.I feel Jerome has had to deal with alot this season from pressure from the older guys to the coaches going by age and not maturity for leadership for the team. Jerome being a sophomore that really should be a freshman has stepped into a silent position of leadership for the team as a 15 year old. Garst however, relied on the older kids which did not offer this leadership. Jerome is willing to do what it takes to get to the next level. Garst however, we're just not sure
Comment by Stephannie Hairston — March 22, 2009 @ 9:17 pm
Kevin Garst was a starter on a state champion team in high school, and a starter on a collegiate national runner-up. He relished being the defensive stopper, a thankless task that most players want no part of. He knows what hard work is. As a fan of Salem High athletics since the school opened, I have absolutley no qualms, doubts, or misgivings about Garst's work ethic, desire, or willingness to achieve success.
Comment by Spartan80 — March 25, 2009 @ 10:30 pm
So - Hairston is heading to North Cross. Not much of a surprise, and, in my opinion, not too much of a loss for Salem. Yes, Hairston is quite talented, but "teamwork" and "discipline" are not in his vocabulary. With the notable (and somewhat mystifying) exception of three or four games last postseason, he's been a total "me-man" since he arrived at Salem. If young Haskins or young Belton, or anyone else, can play the point, there will be very little or no dropoff in wins. Teamwork and an unselfish attitude trump talent and potential.
I wish Hairston luck at his third different high school in four years. I mean that sincerely. He will have a tough road ahead, until he realizes that the name on the front of his jersey doesn't say "Hairston High".
Comment by Spartan80 — August 3, 2009 @ 2:59 pm