Hornets Lose Marquee High School Basketball Matchup

Robinson beats Salisbury 62-53 in battle for South Piedmont Conference title

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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In a high-stakes boys basketball matchup, the Robinson Bulldogs defeated the Salisbury Hornets 62-53 on Saturday, tying Carson for first place in the South Piedmont Conference. The Hornets, who had a seven-game winning streak snapped, finished one game back in the heated conference race.

Why it matters

This game had major implications for the South Piedmont Conference title, with the winner earning a share of the championship. The loss was a setback for the Hornets, who had been on a roll, but it sets up an intriguing conference tournament with the top teams battling for the title.

The details

Robinson (19-3, 12-2) completed a season sweep of Salisbury (18-5, 11-3) by holding the Hornets to a season-low 53 points. Braylon Taylor (19 points) and Blake Smith (13 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks) led Salisbury, but it wasn't enough to overcome a balanced Robinson attack paced by Ralph Walton's 16 points and Noah Speller's 15 points. The Bulldogs also took 9 charges in the game.

  • The game was played on Saturday, February 15, 2026.
  • Robinson and Salisbury were tied for first place in the South Piedmont Conference heading into the matchup.

The players

Lavar Batts Sr.

The head coach of the Robinson Bulldogs.

Braylon Taylor

A key scorer for the Salisbury Hornets, finishing with 19 points in the game.

Blake Smith

The Salisbury Hornets' starting center, who had 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks in the loss.

Ralph Walton

The leading scorer for the Robinson Bulldogs, finishing with 16 points.

Noah Speller

A standout player for the Robinson Bulldogs, scoring 15 points in the win.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The South Piedmont Conference tournament will begin on Monday, with Robinson hosting 8th-seeded South Rowan and Salisbury hosting 6th-seeded Northwest Cabarrus. The tournament semifinals and championship game will be hosted by Carson.

The takeaway

This game highlighted the competitive nature of the South Piedmont Conference, with the top teams battling for the title. The loss was a setback for the Hornets, but it sets up an intriguing conference tournament as the teams vie for the championship.