The Salem Generals are still winless after their game against the Fort Ann Cardinals on Tuesday, but the team can take solace in the fact it was the closest they've come to winning. Salem fell just short of Fort Ann by a score of 49-46. The loss unfortunately continues a disappointing trend for Salem in their matchups with Fort Ann: they've now lost four in a row.
Salem's defeat shouldn't obscure the performances of Blaise Barrett, who scored 16 points along with five assists and three steals, and Josh Harrington who scored 13 points along with seven rebounds. Harrington scored a full 28.3% of Salem's points, the fifth time in a row he's earned more than a third of the team's points. The team also got some help courtesy of Kiernan Haskell, who scored six points along with seven rebounds.
Even though they lost, Salem were working as a unit and finished the game with 14 assists. That's the most assists they've managed all season.
Fort Ann's win was the result of several impressive offensive performances. One of the most notable came from Kadynce Cutter, who dropped a double-double on 13 points and 11 rebounds. Cutter also grabbed two steals for the first time this season. Another player making a difference was Marcus Stowhas, who scored 11 points along with five rebounds.
Salem bumped their record down to 0-5 with that defeat, which was their 12th straight at home dating back to last season. As for Fort Ann, their victory bumped their record up to 1-4.
Both teams are looking forward to the support of their home crowds in their upcoming games. Salem has the luxury of staying home another game and will welcome Berlin/New Lebanon at 7:30 p.m. on December 27th. Fort Ann will finish 2023 at home by hosting Johnsburg Central at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday. The matchup should be an exciting one, as these teams are ranked near one another in New York (Johnsburg Central is ranked 531st, while Fort Ann is ranked 512th).
