Salem started the 2011-12 season in record fashion, beating henry County 89-78 on Tuesday night.

It was the highest point total in school history.

The game was tight throughout with Salem slipping ahead by no more than three points in the third quarter, until a break-out fourth.

Salem outscored Henry County 36-20 in the final quarter, with Laneshe Green going 8 for 8 from the free-throw line.

"It feels good to get that win, especially the way we played that fourth quarter," Salem coach Darren Wilkins said.

Junior Bedrick Turner paced the Salem Seminoles with 33 points, and Green, a senior, chipped in 14. Juniors Jamal Garror and Jarred Brockman added 10 and nine points, respectively, for Salem.

Salem put up the most points in school history, thanks to a fast-paced style of play. The Salem Seminoles were aggressive from the outset, keeping up with a very athletic team.

"We were very aggressive," Wilkins said. "It was a high-scoring, fast-paced game with a lot of ups and downs."

Lady Seminoles 57, Henry County 23

The Salem Seminoles girls' basketball team got the Rachone Dillagard era off with a bang Tuesday night.

Salem defeated Henry County 57-23 behind a break-out night by Ayanna Mitchell and a stifling defense.

Mitchell, a freshman, scored 30 points, and Shaylon Tarver chipped in 10 points and four steals in the victory.

"She just reacted and took what they gave her," said Dillagard of Mitchell's performance.

Mitchell got plenty of help from her teammates, who helped create 38 turnovers by Henry County.

"We did a lot of good things defensively," Dillagard said. "If our defense is doing what it is supposed to do than good things will come."

It was the first win for Dillagard at Salem, after serving as an assistant coach at Eastside in 2010-11.

"I'm really proud of our effort," Dillagard said. "That should be 100 percent every night."