For The Dialog
WILMINGTON – Salesianum continued its challenging schedule on Feb. 18 as fourth-ranked Smyrna visited Father Birkenheuer Gymnasium. The Eagles got out to a big lead and survived a second-half comeback, traveling back to Smyrna with a 53-51 win.
The Sals trailed, 47-38, heading into the fourth quarter, but they did not wilt. Freshman Fahmir Ali scored and was fouled, completing the old-fashioned three-point play, and classmate Tariq Ingraham added a bucket inside to cut the deficit to four.
Smyrna led, 50-45, when Ingraham scored again down low, then added two foul shots to make it a one-point game. Salesianum’s defense held, and again the team went inside to the big freshman, who gave the Sals their first lead with a minute left.
Smyrna senior standout Ja’Vier Worthy drew a foul on the next possession and calmly sank two free throws to give the lead back to the Eagles. Smyrna added another point before a Salesianum player was fouled. He missed the first free throw, and the second was waved off due to a lane violation. The Sals had one more chance to tie or win the game with 1.8 seconds left, but an inbounds pass from half court was off the mark.
Smyrna jumped on the Sals from the outset, as Worthy hit a three-pointer and Charles Taylor converted a steal into a transition layup for a 5-0 lead less than a minute into the game. After a three-point play by Ingraham, Smyrna scored the next eight points to make it 13-3. Eagles freshman Jaymeir Garnett closed out the quarter with a three-point shot, and it was 20-9 after one.
Ingraham had a strong second quarter with three field goals and three free throws, but the Sals could only cut the Eagles’ lead to nine at the half. Worthy helped keep that lead in the third quarter, scoring nine points to help offset an eight-point quarter for Sals freshman Trevon Alderman.
Ingraham led the Sals with 24 points, including six of seven from the free throw line. Alderman added eight. Salesianum (10-8) hosts Sussex Tech on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. for Senior Night.
The Eagles got a team-high 21 from Worthy, who hit nine of 10 from the line. Garnett chipped in with 13. They improved to 16-3 and will finish the regular season on Tuesday at home vs. A.I. DuPont at 6:15 p.m.
