ray.cox@roanoke.com 381-1672
   
   One high school player had an angry red mark on his neck. Another continued to dab blood from his nose long after it had gotten in the way of an opponent's arm. Yet another player was so woozy that he couldn't remember what he had for dinner last night.
   At least those three Salem players were on the winning side. As for their counterparts from Pulaski County, no amount of aspirin and ice was going to soothe the pain of a 56-50 loss in the final of the River Ridge District tournament Friday night at the Salem Civic Center.
   The Spartans (21-3) earned their third victory over the Cougars by giving a Purple Heart performance. The wounded will have time to heal before Salem entertains the Blue Ridge District runner-up at 7 p.m. Tuesday when the Group AA Region III tournament opens. Pulaski County (16-7) does have the consolation of another game. The Cougars too are is also going to the regionals and will visit the top Blue Ridge team Tuesday.
   Salem outscored the Cougars 12-3 from long range and shot 49 percent from the floor overall to complete an undefeated season in the district this year. The Spartans, who at one point this season were making less than half their foul shots, canned 17 of 24.
   "I know it's redundant to keep saying they're a tough-minded bunch, but they are," Pulaski County coach Mark Hanks said of the Spartans.
   Nobody was expected to miss the next game, but quite a few Spartans will enjoy getting some rest this weekend.
   "That was the most physical game we've been in this year," Salem's Chris Adams said. "Every game with them has been that way. They're the most physical team in the district. You just have to deal with it."
   Adams, the guy whose neck looked like he'd survived a tussle with Jack the Ripper, ripped the Cougars for 13 points, making all three of his 3-point attempts and all three of his foul shots.
   "He's hit huge shots for us all year," Salem coach Grant Smythers said. "He thrives under pressure."
   So does guard A.J. Dowell, who returned to form after a five-point night against Hidden Valley in the semifinals to singe the Cougars for 15. Dowell, Adams, and center Curtis Peery had five rebounds each for the Spartans, who were edged 26-23 on the backboards.
   Peery, who had five rebounds, was the guy with the bloody nose. Better that than the fate suffered by fellow
   Center Kenny Belton did not return to action after taking a shot to the head in the first half. When Smythers saw the faraway look in Belton's eye just before the start of the third, he was sent back to the dressing quarters. So Curtis Peery, the guy with the bloody nose, and Bryan Webb picked up for Belton down low, combining for 13 points and nine rebounds.
   They did an effective job keeping Pulaski County's Ernie Hodge under control. Hodge had a game-high 17 points and six rebounds nevertheless. Derrick Burks added 13 points and seven caroms as Pulaski County outrebounded the Spartans 26-23.
   Pulaski County was limited to 34 percent shooting (16 of 47) and just one 3-pointer.
   "The 3 is a big part of their game," Salem coach Grant Smythers said. "That was important for us. Defense wins championships. We've allowed a little over 42 points per game. We may not win pretty, but we still win."
   
   PULASKI COUNTY (50)
   Hodge 6 5-8 17, Burks 4 4-4 13, Poindexter 1 3-4 5, Montgomery 2 1-2 5, Hart 2 1-4 5, Twine 0 2-2 2, Tilley 1 0-0 2, Dean 0 1-2 1, Anderson 0 0-1 0. Totals: 16 17-27 50.
   SALEM (56)
   Dowell 3 7-8 15, Adams 4 2-2 13, Haskins 2 4-4 8, Webb 2 3-4 7, Belton 3 0-2 6, Peery 3 0-0 6, Tate 0 1-4 1. Totals: 17 17-24 56.
   Pulaski County15 10 11 14-50
   Salem21 6 11 18-56
   Three-point goals: Pulaski County, Burks. Salem , Adams 3, Dowell 2. Total fouls: Pulaski County 18, Salem 16.