• Salem
• Salem High School
• Tennis

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By Flora Wade, SHS Student Writer

There has been a lot of action on the south side of Salem High School since the beginning of the school year, and many are wondering what happened to the tennis courts. Those who have seen the courts in recent years know they have needed some reconstruction, and finally their time has come.

Since they were built in the late 1980s, community members and tennis players have used the courts often, but over time they have developed holes and cracks that affected playing and safety for everyone. Support and funds provided a complete redo of the courts allowing construction that started in September. 

¨There were cracks everywhere, and it was difficult to play on certain courts because of the holes,¨ senior Lilli Gilstrap said.

Using post tension concrete, commonly found in parking garages, will prevent the extreme weathering that caused the cracks in previous years. The constant change of heating and cooling caused the courts to spread and crack, the new form of concrete will keep a long lasting stability. 

In addition, the old fences came up from the concrete and started curling inwards causing the balls to roll off the court, as well as rusting that made large holes. 

¨That was another safety issue,” Athletic Director Hank Weedin said. “The other fence we had was starting to curl up really badly… they were rusted and the sharp points were pointing up.¨

After the concrete is poured, a surrounding black fence will be installed.

“The new fences should eliminate anybody getting hurt,” Weedin said.

Hellas Construction, the same company that installed the Jim Ralston Field during this past summer, is putting in the courts. They will use turf on the hills between the courts adding a clean, sleek finish.

After the concrete is set and painted, the courts will be back to community use. There will be a finishing seal that needs to go over the concrete but it must set for at least 48 hours in roughly 72 degree weather, according to Hellas. Conclusively, the official completion of the courts will be in the spring of 2025. 

¨I'm excited to see the final project,¨ girls tennis coach Lisa Nice said. 

Although the boys team did not get much playing time on their home courts this fall, the girls team will have a new experience in their upcoming season. 

¨I am so excited to play on them this spring and I'm very grateful that we´re getting brand new ones for my senior tennis season,¨ Gilstrap said. 

Sophomore tennis player Kinley Howey agreed.

¨I'm very excited for the courts and turf and can't wait to practice and play on them!¨

It is not just a restoration for this upcoming tennis season, but a complete redo for the entire community. Salem will see new and improved tennis courts that will change their game completely.

Photos by SHS Junior Flora Wade.

• Salem High School
• Football
• IHSAA

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By Josh Lewis, Writer

It’s hard to ask much more of the Lions football team than the performance they delivered in the opening round of sectional play. Salem scored early and often as they throttled visiting Clarksville for a 67-16 win over the Generals to keep their season alive into the sectional semi-finals.

Salem Head Coach Brian Glesing said it’s always tough being in a game you know will be one sided, but added he was proud of his team. “Those games are tough. I’ve been on the other end of those. I’m proud of our kids for being professional and being business-like in situations like that. We took care of business and that’s all you can ask. Those games are tough on both ends, nobody likes them. We did what we needed to do, and we had some guys get to score that might not have ever had a chance to score, so that was good. I’m happy for our guys. It's a well deserved win, and it’s on to step two.”

After forcing an early punt, it took the Lions offense just three plays to get on the board when Logan Dent scored from 17 yards out. He also punched in the two point try and made it 8-0 with 8:31 left in the quarter.

On the Generals next offensive play Braxton Dean scooped up a fumble and ran it back for the 21 yard score just 14 seconds after their previous score to make it 14-0 with 8:18 to play in the first.

Another General fumble was recovered by Caris Moore at the 25 yard line two plays later. That set up an Adam Mull passing score to Dean from six yards out. A muffed kickoff and a one play 35 yard score through the air from Mull to Seth Ponsford gave the Lions two scores in 10 seconds to push the lead out 27-0 with 7:13 left in the first.

A Clarksville first down was called back after a penalty and then on the next play Payton Schocke picked off a pass at the 36 yard line. Dent rushed in from 26 yards out to push the lead up 33-0 with 4:18 to play in the first.

Ponsford returned the ensuing Clarksville punt from around midfield all the way back for the touchdown and Salem had ensured a running clock would take place with 3:08 left in the first quarter as the Lions started to sprinkle JV players into the lineup from that point.

From there the Lions would score four more times. Cage Callaway scooped up a fumble for a score. Mull connected with Dean for his third score on a 27 yard pass. CJ Ward rushed from four yards out. The final score of the night came from Rory Davidson when he scooped up a fumble on a kickoff for the Lions third defensive score of the night to put an exclamation point on the evening for Salem and make 67-0 before the Generals put two scores on the board in garbage time.

Glesing said it was important to seize control of the game early and not overlook Clarksville. “We wanted to make sure we came out and got the game in hand early. The first few possessions settled the game and that was big. When we did we were able to get other guys to play and get other guys some rest. That’s important going into next week’s playoff game.”

The whole team got to play and Glesing said that everybody did some good things. “Our whole team was great. Everybody got to play. Rory had the fumble return for the touchdown. Ponsford had another punt return touchdown. We had a lot of defensive scores. We didn’t even run very many offensive plays for that matter.”

Salem will travel to Tell City next Friday for the sectional semi-final matchup.

Logan Dent finds a crease for a touchdown run.

Braxton Dean celebrates his fumble return score.

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By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer

Salem Speedway Fueled by the Hoosier Lottery held a racing extravaganza October 18-20 with the 36th Annual Halloween 200 weekend.

Many chose to camp overnight on the track grounds. A Halloween costume contest was held in the Pavilion, plus there was trunk or treat on the front stretch.

Friday was dedicated to practicing, plus the 15-lap Bandoleros race. The Bandolero race was won by Levi Nale; second was Collin Dickey; and third, Grant Hooker.

Saturday was open for more serious racing. First up was a 30-lap oval race on the small track. Winning this contest was Troy Phillips. A.J. Seay finished second, and Doug Wicker had third place.

In the 15-lap B Feature it was Allen Wagner the winner; second Alexis Hughes; and third place Stacie Fitzgerald.

Also, on the small track was the Crown Vic Future Stars 20-lap race. The age group for this division is 11 – 15 years old. The winner was young Braxton Turner; second Jaxon Ziegler; and third Nathan Lewis.

One of the most exciting races was the Crown Vic Ford Figure X. This 25-lap feature proved “it’s not over till it’s over.” Jacob Robertson chased Mike Berry around the track, challenging him for several laps. Coming down to the checkered flag Robertson got into the side of Berry’s car and both slid across the finish line together, with Berry ahead by a nose. This battle allowed third place Allen Douglas to nose out Robertson for second.

Now it was time for the high banks with the Salem Super Cars. Twenty-five laps of high-speed racing resulted with Conner Popplewell the winner in his first appearance in this division.

The season champion from the Kimmel stables was Brian Rose.

The main attraction was the Spooky 200 for the Ford Crown Vics. Some 81 Fords lined up for the 200 laps. The field covered the track from turn one back through turn four with cars three abreast.

Well order didn’t last long—the first yellow came out on lap seven. The race continued with several minor wrecks until lap 68, when Rusty Kelly took a hard hit at the end on the front stretch and was momentarily knocked out. He finished 56th. By that time approximately twenty-five cars had fallen to the wayside.

Later in the race, John Lister took a hard hit on the back stretch going into turn 3. Lister could not feel his lower body and was cut out of the car by the rescue team. The car’s roof was cut off and peeled back. He was transported by ambulance to University Hospital in Louisville. He was later released that night, as the feeling came back to his lower body. Due the lost time the race was cut short on lap 130. The eventual winner was Chase Adams, with second place going to Rickie Tharp, and third to Colson Gray.

Sunday rolled around, and it was a much different day. First up were the Legends cars on the short track. A full field of 22 cars lined up for 30 laps of racing. It was Johnny Weaver taking the checkered flag. Second place went to Xavier King and third was Jacob Bradley.

Next on the inner track were the Scrapper for pure chaos as almost—anything goes for 25 laps. The red flag is only dropped when someone is in danger. It came as no surprise that Justin Fiedler led the way. Harold Adams, the announcer, called him, “King of the Scrappers.” Second was Peyton Cline and third was Landon Seitz. The track was littered with plastic car parts after the race.

The final race was the 35th running of the Halloween 200. Thirty-three cars started this race, and nine finished on the lead lap. There were several leaders in the race. A pit stop was required in the first 100 laps and one in the last 100. Pits stops could be just a dash down pit lane or, like many did, a two-tire change in second half.

One top contender was three-time winner Chuck Barnes Jr. On lap 116, Barnes took the lead, followed by Brian Bayer. He led until lap 170, when Heath Helton took the lead. Barnes’ right rear tire gave out, costing him many positions. Finally he stopped and got a tire and finished one lap down in 11th place.

Helton didn’t have an easy victory. As soon as he got a good lead, the yellow would come out and the field was reset. He pulled away each time. Finishing second was Brett Hudson, and third place went to Austi Baum, who was the season champion.

Caution laps count until the last ten, which must be finished under green.

This classic race finished the season.

In 2025, it will be the 79th year the track has been in existence.

John Lister is the Ford oval champion.

Troy Phillips wins the Ford oval A race.

Allen Wagner is the winner of the Ford oval B race.

Braxton Turner wins the Crown Vic Future Stars race.

Connor Popplewell wins the Salem Super Cars race on the high banks during his first appearance in the division.

Brian Rose from the Kimmel stables is the season champion.

Rusty Kelly's car took a hard hit during the Spooky 200 race.

Following a hard hit in the Spooky 200 race, the roof of John Lister's car had to be removed to retrieve him from the car.

Johnny Weaver won the Legends feature on the short track.

Thirty-three cars were lined up for the start of the 36th Annual Halloween 200 race.

Heath Helton fought hard to earn victory during the Halloween 200 feature race.