By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
After sending Smoky Valley packing on Monday with a convincing 63-38 victory, the Southeast of Saline boys’ basketball team will resume Sterling Tournament play tonight with a semifinal matchup against Scott City.
The Trojans enter this contest still ranked as the #1 team in Class 3A at 9-0 while the Beavers come in at 5-4 after eliminating Lyons on Monday.
In their opening-round matchup, Southeast dominated on the glass, with Nakari Morrical-Palmer in particular putting on a show and stealing several bonus possessions for the Trojans.
“I thought we rebounded at a really high level against Smoky Valley, ”SES head coach Bryson Flax said. “We really got after it on the offensive glass and took advantage of second-chance opportunities.”
With two days to rest in-between games, the Trojan coaching staff has been hard at work preparing for their contest with Scott City, and what might lie beyond regardless of what happens tonight.
“It’s nice to have a day off to rest up and prepare,” Flax said. “What’s difficult in these tournaments is preparing for four teams as you move forward and for three teams after the first round. It’s more film and notes for our coaching staff to work through but that’s what we’re here for as a staff, to put these kids in a position to succeed.”
On the other side of the bracket, Hugoton and Sterling will battle it out for the first spot in the final, with the two losers of these matchups meeting in the third-place game on Friday.
“This tournament especially this year is top-heavy,” he said. “There are some really good teams in the final four here, and year in and year out your going to see 3-5 really strong teams at Sterling. They do a great job with this tournament and it’s in a really healthy place.”
Against the Beavers, Southeast will once again need to control the game on the glass, especially with sophomore Jackson Rumford patrolling the paint.
“Scott City is big and physical, they have [Rumford] inside who does a good job around the rim but he’s also an underrated passer. He can hit shots and the Bailey kid can knock down perimeter jumpers as well so they have players that can play. They’re good in help and they’ll try to make you take uncomfortable shots.”
On the Trojan’s side of the matchup floor awareness and matchup recognition defensively will be more critical than ever if Southeast is to give themselves a shot to win a first-ever Sterling Tournament.
“We have to understand the personnel and how we want to guard everybody,” Flax said. “We switch with everyone and we’re not overly concerned with a height mismatch but we need to understand where we’re at off the ball and with our secondary help.”
Tip-off between the Trojans and Beavers is set for 5:30 pm at Sterling College and can be streamed exclusively on the Salina Post with Devin Hanney on the call.
For continuing coverage of Trojan hoops at Sterling stay tuned to the Salina Post.