Heading into Friday night's inter-county matchup Salem is hosting Heritage trying to move up in Region 8-AAAAA two games before the region tournament begins.

Before the Patriots-Salem Seminoles meeting, Salem was 8-5 in league play, tied with Loganville and one game behind Clarke Central at 9-5. Salem find itself in its current position thanks in part to a big win over the top-placed Clarke Central Gladiators.

Salem defeated Clarke Central 76-63 Jan. 25 behind big scoring performances from Dedrick Turner and Jamaal Garror. Turner finished with 27 points, going 9 for 18 from the field and Garror had 24 points. Ahmad Mitchell chipped in 11 in the first of back-to-back wins for the Salem Seminoles.

Salem led Clarke Central 31-29 before being outscored 17-12 in the third quarter to trail 46-43. The Salem Seminoles then exploded offensively in the final eight minutes, outscoring the Gladiators 33-17.

Salem outrebounded Clarke Central 39-32 while holding the Gladiators to just 37 percent shooting.

The Salem Seminoles followed that performance with an 80-66 win at Meadowcreek Jan. 26. Garror and Turner starred again with 23 and 19 points, respectively.

Prior to Friday's game Turner was second in 8-AAAAA with 18.2 points per game. Turner is also fourth in the region with 1.6 3-pointers per game, just behind Garror, who's third with 1.8.

Salem finishes the regular season on the road at Apalachee Tuesday and Gainesville Friday before the region tournament begins Feb. 11.