By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
The Southeast of Saline boy’s basketball team showed no signs of slowing down in their regular-season finale, and flexed their muscle on a league foe, dismantling Republic County 75-36 on senior night.
With this victory, the Trojans extend their win streak to nine games, and close out the season at 19-1, ranked as the #2 team in Class 3A.
Much like their first meeting with the Buffaloes, this one was over before it really had a chance to begin as Southeast took a 22-9 lead into the first quarter break and never looked back.
The unselfish brand of SES basketball was on full display in this game as a staggering 12 different Trojans notched their names in the scoring column, led by Nakari Morrical-Palmer (14), Daniel Kejr (13), and Eli Sawyers (10).
“For everybody else, I’m sure it’s entertaining to watch our guys get out on the run,” SES head coach Bryson Flax said. “We really are playing our best basketball when we play unselfishly. When the ball crosses the midline three times we’re extremely efficient and we have to continue playing for one another.”
In addition to the even scoring spread, Southeast dominated the game in transition forcing the Buffaloes into 21 turnovers while surrendering fewer than five as a team themselves.
“Our guys work hard day in and day out and it was good for them to come out, compete and have a little fun doing it,” Flax said. “All of our guys showed good effort and when they get their opportunities they find ways to get the job done.”
Now, the Trojans will turn their attention to the sub-state tournament where their first task will be dispatching 10-10 Phillipsburg, in the only bracket to feature zero teams with losing records.
“We’ll give the guys tomorrow off and then compete really hard into the weekend, get some shots up on Sunday, prepare on Monday, and see what we’re all about on Tuesday,” he said.
For continuing coverage of Trojan hoops all postseason long, stay tuned to the Salina Post.