By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
After putting an end to Sacred Heart’s six-game win streak, the Bennington girls basketball team is on to face Valley Heights in the sub-state semifinal.
The Lady Bulldogs will come into this game 12-9 overall while the Mustangs enter as the #4 team in Class 2A at 19-2.
While Valley Heights will be favored heavily coming into this contest, the win over Sacred Heart has worked wonders for Bennington’s confidence.
“These are girls you want to take into battle with you,” Bulldog head coach Tracy Piepho said. “They believed in each other and executed down the stretch and I was most proud of our mental toughness. A win like that is big for our confidence moving forward.”
Bennington will have their work cut out for them against a Valley Heights team that has outscored their opponents 58-33 on average this season.
“They are very balanced and have great post play and good shooters surrounding them,” Piepho said. “Our biggest challenge is going to be shutting down their posts and making them earn it from the outside.”
A lot of that inside damage has been caused by senior Emma Yungeberg this season, which has drawn the attention of opposing defenses and opened things up for outside shooters like Catherine Toerber and Tayra L’Ecuyer.
Valley Height's only two losses this season came at the hands of #1 Centralia of Class 1ADI, and to keep things close, Bennington will have to scrap for and take advantage of every opportunity for 32 minutes.
“We will have to bring our best defensive game, win every loose ball, and snag every rebound,” Piepho said. “Our young guards have improved this season, but they are going to have to come up even bigger Thursday and our bigs are going to have to play bigger than they have all year.”
Tip-off between the Lady Bulldogs and Mustangs is set for 7:30 pm at Republic County High School with the winner moving on to the sub-state final to play either 8-12 Wabaunsee or 9-11 St. Mary’s, each of whom pulled off upsets in the first round.
For continuing coverage of Bennington throughout the sub-state tournament, stay tuned to the Salina Post.