Undersized Salem ‘Gets after it’ in impressive victory over Canton

There were not seven Salem girls basketball players on the court throughout Tuesday night’s game against Canton.

It just seemed like it.

Playing swarming, feet-always-moving, arms-frequently-clogging-up-passing-lanes defense, the undersized Rocks earned a 43-31 victory over the Cobras thanks to hustle and — Dan Campbell will love this — grit.

(To check out video highlights from Tuesdsay’s game, click here.)

“In the days leading up to the game, we talked a lot about being scrappy and getting after it on defense,” said Salem Head Coach Rod Wells. “The girls bought in.

“We also talked about being more aggressive than Canton and taking the game to them, instead of vice versa. I’ll tell you what, these girls have no fear.”

What made this win so impressive?

Salem’s triumph was impressive for multiple reasons: The Rocks fell into an 11-2 hole to start the game, their starting line-up included two freshmen (Lainey Claramunt and Stella Stotz) and sophomore Julia Steinhebel, and their rotation includes just one player over 5-feet-7 (senior Leilah Howard).

“After we fell behind early, I called a timeout,” Wells recounted. “When I looked in their eyes, they all had a look of confidence in them that they could come back. To be honest, that made me a believer, too.”

Claramunt and Howard led the Rocks with 11 points a piece. Stotz contributed 10 points and Noelle Martinez added eight.

Senior Samantha Moore led Canton with 11 points, nine the result of three treys. Devyn Reiger socred seven and McKinsey Berlin netted six — all in the first quarter.

Big game for Lainey

Wells had high praise for multiple players, including Claramunt, who he said, “Has the heart of a lion”.

“Lainey gets after it,” Wells said. She’s so versatile, too. She can play the high post or when an opponent plays a zone, she can play in the middle of the paint. She’s a freshman, but you’d never know it. She wants to compete and she wants the ball.”

Claramunt, who was competing against players three years older than her, said age and size have never fazed her.

“I’ve played a lot of basketball since I was little,” she said, smiling. “I’ve played up a lot for my AAU teams, so I’m used to playing against older girls.

“My teammates have been great, too, helping me with the transition to high school varsity basketball. Leila (Howard) takes time at practice to show me how to play bigger.”

Oops, they did it again!

Like they did two years ago when the Rocks made a Cinderella-esque run to the Division 1 Final Four, KLAA West Division coaches voted in a pre-season poll the Rocks would place seventh this season in the eight-team division.

And like he did two years ago, Wells used the low prediction as fuel.

“l showed it to the girls the next day at practice,” Wells said. “I told them they don’t have to accept this.”

Judging by their strong start, the Rocks haven’t accepted the doubters’ opinions.

Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.