Salmen’s Spartans took care of business Friday night downing host Mandeville 53-41 in the championship game of the Skipper Classic led by tournament MVP Daron Populist’s 20 points. With Salmen trailing 33-29 entering the fourth quarter, Populist came up clutch dropping in 12 of his points. He drained two 3-pointers and made 6-of-6 free throws to wrap up the title for the Spartans.

Salmen remained unbeaten at 8-0, while Mandeville fell to 6-5.

Populist said Mandeville is a very good team.

Pictured are members of the Salmen Spartans'€™ basketball team after they defeated the Mandeville Skippers 53-41 Friday night in the championship game to capture the 2008 Skipper Classic. Pictured from left, first row: Abasi Qadhafi, Clay Cansler, R. J. Scott (all-tournament team), Daron Populist (Tournament MVP) and Jared Harrison; second row: Assistant coach Ryan Walsh, Jacob Peters, Will Jefferson, Derrick Thomas, Matt Sumpter, Charles Trotter, Blaine Campbell, Josh Lewis, Thomas Jones and head coach Jay Carlin. (Staff Photo by Mike Pervel)

“We came here last year and lost to them. We came out here and wanted to limit their shots,” Populist said.

“I felt confident with my shot. My teammates did a good job setting me up. Getting the MVP award is a great individual award, but I couldn’t have done it without my teammates,” Populist said.

Salmen coach Jay Carlin praised the consistent play of Populist.

“He has been so consistent all year. He hit those two big 3’s on the quick hitters, which opened it up. He’s been very, very clutch making key shots. He’s been outstanding,” Carlin said.

Salmen senior R. J. Scott, who was selected to the all-tournament team, delivered 13 points followed by Jared Harrison with eight and Derrick Thomas adding seven.

Friday night’s championship game was originally scheduled for 8 o’clock, but the game was moved up to 5 p.m. so Salmen players could make it back for the LHSAA state semifinal football playoff game at Spartan Stadium.

Mandeville’s Jordane Ganapamo, who was also named to the all-tournament team, topped the Skippers with 13 points. Senior point guard Josh Priola contributed eight points and Richard Ford finished with six.

Salmen built an 11-4 first quarter lead on a 3-pointer by Harrison with 5:31 left. The Spartans pushed their lead to 15-4 on baskets by Thomas and Scott with 1:50 to go in the opening quarter.

Coach Carlin said his club did a great job early in the game by taking the 11-point lead.

“After we got the early lead, shots started to get contested being blocked around the goal. Our shot selection became poor and our defense broke down allowing too much dribble penetration at the rim,” Carlin said.

“We played solid the first four minutes and then the last eight minutes.”

After Salmen took the 11-point advantage, MHS’ Ford and Sean Zemke hit baskets to close out the quarter with the Skippers trailing 15-8.

The Skippers cut into the Spartans lead in the second quarter with Ganapamo hitting seven points, while Zach Adema added four. MHS outscored Salmen 15-9 to trail 24-23 at the half. Populist clicked on two 3-pointers and Thomas Jones added a trey for the Spartans in the quarter.

Mandeville trimmed the Salmen lead outscoring the Spartans 10-5 in the third period for a four-point lead entering the fourth quarter. Ganapamo led the way in the quarter with two 3-pointers to spark MHS.

The Skippers didn’t have an answer for Populist in the fourth quarter. The Spartans made 13-of-18 free throws in the period with Populist netting six of them.

MHS coach John Priola said his club gave a very good effort against a solid Salmen team. He thanked the numerous parent volunteers, who helped make this year’s Skipper Classic another rousing success.

Salmen advanced to Friday’s championship game after edging Catholic High 68-65 Thursday in overtime with Populist scoring the Spartans only four points in OT for the victory. The game was tied 64-64 at the end of regulation. Populist and Scott finished with 23 points each to lead the Spartans’ attack.

With the championship tilt being moved up two other games were played afterwards on Friday night.

Bogalusa (1-2) in the tourney edged Warren Easton 46-43. Bogalusa’s William Smith finished with 23 points and Brandon Magee added 11 for the Lumberjacks, which finishded 0-3. Warren Easton’s Lionel Causey dropped in 17 points. In the tournament’s final game, Catholic High (2-1) downed the Fontainebleau Bulldogs 68-54. Kevin Miller led Catholic with 18 points and Tanner Breaux had 14. Breaux was named to the all-tournament team.

FHS (1-2) placed three players in double figures led by Jason Green with 15 points. Quin Cooper followed with 14 points and Matt Orlando had 11. Taylor Hanby, who was selected to the all-tournament team, chipped in with seven points.

FHS fell to cross town rival Mandeville 55-45 on Thursday night. Ganapamo topped the Skippers with 18 points followed by Chad Alfaro with 10. Hanby dropped in 16 points for the Bulldogs followed by Cooper with 14.