By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

PROCTORVILLE — Evan Salyers has been putting up double-doubles throughout his career. His double-double Friday night put him in double big company.

The Fairland senior had 24 points and 12 rebounds to make him the fourth player in school history to reach 1,000 career points and 500 career rebounds as the Dragons beat the River Valley Raiders 59-40 Friday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

He is the seventh player to record 1,000 career points — Nathan Hughes is the all-time leader — and the sixth to amass 500 rebounds.

Salyers entered the game needing a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds to reach the milestones. He reached 1,000 points in the second quarter and got his 500th rebound in the third quarter.

Fairland coach Nathan Speed said Salyers was deserving of every accolade he has achieved.

“Our team is very proud of what he’s accomplished. He’s a member of an elite group of Fairland basketball players to reach both 1,000 points and 500 rebounds,” said Speed.

“He works hard in the classroom and on the court. He volunteers in the community. With all he has accomplished he’s still the ultimate team player. It’s an honor to work with him.”

Evan Maddox helped Salyers celebrate by scoring 13 points and grabbing 7 rebounds as Fairland improved to 13-3 and 6-1 in the OVC. The Dragons host Chesapeake next Friday in a showdown for first place.

Derek Flint had 10 points for River Valley (2-11, 0-7).

Salyers had 6 points in the first quarter as Fairland jumped in front 17-6. He had 10 more points in the second quarter as the lead ballooned to 36-14.

“We played well defensively, especially in the first half,” said Speed. “We’re a defensive team. Our kids play very hard. They battle and scrap the whole game.”

Salyers got 8 points in the third quarter as the Dragons extended their cushion to 52-27.

River Valley 6 8 13 13 = 40

Fairland 17 19 16 7 = 59

RIVER VALLEY (2-11, 0-7): Derek Flint 3-10 1-3 1-2 10, Kyle Bays 2-3 0-0 0-0 4, Austin Whobrey 0-0 0-0 0-0 0, Chris Clemente 1-5 0-0 1-2 3, Trey Noble 1-3 0-0 0-0 2, Aaron Harrison 1-2 0-0 0-0 2, Joseph Lloyd 1-6 2-3 1-1 9, Austin Lewis 3-9 0-0 2-5 8, Ethan Dovernbarger 1-8 0-0 0-0 2, Aaron Rupe 0-1 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 16-53 5-10 40. 3-point goals: 3-6. Rebounds: 22 (Lewis 7, Dovenbarger 7). Assists: 3. Steals: 3. Turnovers: 17. Fouls: 8. Fouled out: None.

FAIRLAND (13-3, 6-1): Thayer Flynn 1-2 0-0 0-0 2, Cody Midkiff 1-1 2-3 1-2 9, Alec Warner 0-1 1-2 0-0 3, Eric Riley 1-4 0-0 0-0 2, Luke Phillips 0-1 0-0 0-0 0, Kyle Raines 1-2 0-0 0-0 2, Evan Maddox 6-13 0-3 1-3 13, Blaine Fuller 1-6 0-0 0-2 2, Josh Goodman 0-3 0-0 0-0 0, Nathan Campbell 1-2 0-1 0-0 2, Evan Salyers 10-17 0-0 4-4 24, Ryan Wooten 0-4 0-0 0-0 0, Dionte Braye 0-0 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 25-65 6-11 59. 3-point goals: 3-9. Rebounds: 39 (Salyers 12, Maddox 7, Campbell 5). Assists: 12 (Campbell 5). Steals: 6 (Salyers 2). Turnovers: 10. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.