By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
The Southeast of Saline Lady Trojans will be on the road tonight to face the Hesston Lady Swathers in the sub-state semi-final at 8pm.
SES is the higher seed, entering the tournament at 14-6 as the two but the sub-state site location has gifted the three-seed Lady Swathers a home game this evening.
The Lady Trojans knocked out Kingman on Monday by a final score of 55-31 while Hesston eliminated Ellsworth 59-29.
“We did a great job of spreading out our scoring throughout that game,” SES head coach Shauna Smith said. “Everyone took turns scoring in spurts which was good for us.”
Southeast and Hesston met all the way back in game one, a game that saw the Lady Swathers come out on top 63-41.
In the time between now and then however, SES has improved greatly, especially in a young lineup featuring a number of freshmen who now have a full varsity season under their belts.
“I think defensively we’ve improved a lot since that first game,” Smith said. “I watched back through the film and defensively we were not there back then. Offensively we’re moving the ball a lot better and we’re running our sets really well now.”
Hesston remains a formidable opponent, with size and experience that the Lady Trojans will have to overcome tonight to advance to the sub-state final.
“Their size is going to be a challenge and they’re a really well coached team with a lot of tradition behind them,” she said. “They know how to win and they expect to win.”
SES will also have to contend with one of the most hostile environments that the team has played in all season, especially with KSHSAA easing restrictions on fans at playoff games.
“It’s going to be a tough place for us to play but I hope our girls come in relaxed,” she said. “Our juniors have been in this situation before, most of them are three-year players so it’s really just our freshmen that are new to this.”
Tip off between Southeast and Hesston is scheduled for 8pm with the winner advancing to play whoever comes out on top between 18-3 Halstead and 7-13 Haven at 5:30.
The game can be heard on KINA (910 AM or 107.5 FM) or streamed on the Salina Post courtesy of Bennington State Bank.
Stay tuned to the Salina Post for continuing coverage of the Trojans and Lady Trojans throughout the sub-state tournament.