Bryce Fairclough is recovering from a grade two ankle sprain he suffered in the first game of the summer season. He may not be 100 percent recovered from that injury just yet, but he remains focused on improving his game on the court

As one of just three returning players who played consistent varsity minutes last season, and the only one in the Falcons' front court, Fairclough will be relied upon to help lead this team throughout the summer months.

Fairclough, who will be a senior next season, was one of three Falcons who scored six points in Salisbury's (4-2) 33-23 victory over Faith Christian (2-4) last Tuesday at Cedar Beach in the 2014 Stellar Summer Basketball League.

"I think Bryce is obviously a huge factor for us inside," head coach Jason Weaver said. "I think he did a good job [last Tuesday] with the posting up part."

"I felt pretty good," Fairclough said. "The adrenaline kind of kicked in. I didn't feel [the injury] much."

After a first half that saw Salisbury squander an early 8-0 lead into a two-point advantage at intermission because of countless missed layups, the Falcons' offense seemed much more comfortable in the final 20 minutes.

The Falcons started the second half with six straight points, and a 17-2 spurt ended as Chad Cooperman hit back-to-back three-pointers to make it a 30-13 lead. Salisbury's lead remained in double digits the rest of the way.

Weaver's teams pride themselves on playing sound, crisp defense and an offense that moves the ball from one area of the floor to another. The players seemed to have picked up on Weaver's message on the defensive side, but the offense has had some growing pains early in the summer.

"I'm happy with the way we're playing," Weaver said. "I think our defense has been pretty solid. They had 13 points with three minutes to go or something like that."

"I think overall the defense is obviously creating some easy baskets in transition. The offense will come. It's June."

Fairclough's athleticism is visible even to pedestrian fans of the sport. His quickness makes it tough for post players to stay with him down low, but Fairclough's ability to extend defenses outside the paint is just as important.

"Probably just some ball-handling, so I can play outside instead of just inside," Fairclough said of his offseason focus. "Just so I'm not limited to playing in the post. I can handle the ball outside and stuff.

"I think he might have to play for us in the post a little bit," Weaver said, "but I think depending what we're running offensively, there is going to be opportunities where he's going play a little bit more on the wing. Obviously he can put the ball on the floor and finish."

Chad Cooperman and Dylan Belletiere each scored six points for the Falcons as well.

Results from Tuesday's game against Wilson were not available at time of press. The Falcons face Lincoln Leadership on Thursday at 8:15 p.m.