Salem, which reached the boys' basketball playoffs for the first time a season ago, did it again Monday night.
The Salem Seminoles defeated Madison 72-54 in the second round of the Region 8-AAAA tournament at Loganville to earn a top-four ranking in region and a spot in the state playoffs.

"We just did a really good job of keeping pace and controlling the tempo," Salem coach Darren Wilkens said. "I was really happy with the pace of the game up and down.We've been doing a good job all year defensively, and we held them to just 54 points."

Dedrick Turner led Salem (18-7, 6-2) with 22 points, Caneshe Green added 13 and Marques McKoy chipped in 11.
After the win, the scene was a little different this year than last year following the Salem Seminoles 66-64 win over Madison County, earning them a spot in the 2010-11 state playoffs.

"I think the team is more confident," Wilkens said. "After the game there was no big celebration. We felt like we've gotten back to a place where we belong."

Salem still has up to two more games before it returns to the state playoffs, a place where it is starting to feel more comfortable.

"I think it puts more validation on our program," Wilkens said. "That we're a solid program and a solid team. I think it puts a stamp of approval on the work we've done throughout the past three years."

Salem will take on Loganville in the semifinals Thursday night.