By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
After collecting their first victory of the new year against Wichita Classical on Tuesday, the Ell-Saline girl’s basketball team will hit the road for Sedgwick in a battle of the Cardinals on Friday night.
Each of these teams comes into this contest at 3-5, and both will be eager to snatch some momentum and bring themselves one game away from being back at .500.
Despite some early-season stumbles, Ell-Saline has grown immensely through a difficult schedule and continues to put the pieces together, looking to play their best basketball down the stretch.
“We’ve played some good teams and have learned a bit more about role assignments and playing with purpose,” Lady Cardinal head coach Brandi Schneider said. “We’ve moved some people around in positions to take advantage of strengths and mitigate weaknesses.”
Those adjustments were vital in Ell-Saline’s big win earlier this week, which snapped a four-game losing streak dating back to December.
“With the change in roles, we were able to reduce turnovers and execute our offense with more discipline,” Schneider said. “That opened up scoring opportunities. We were able to play deep into the bench, and had three starters in double figures, with a double-double by Avery Richards.”
Now, the Lady Cardinals will turn their attention to a Sedgwick team also looking to find their footing, splitting their 2023 matchups but dropping four of their last five.
“They work the ball well on both sides of the court and look to have some depth offensively,” she said. “I believe we match up with them size-wise. They are younger with two sophomores starting, but have two senior post players that play both inside and out well.”
To come away with a second-straight victory for the first time this season, Ell-Saline will need to ensure that they continue to value each possession, and win the battle on the glass despite the size of a team like Sedgwick.
“We need to continue to build upon Tuesday’s game with defensive intensity and offensive purpose,” Schneider said. “We need to take care of the ball and take advantage of offensive rebounds for those second-chance baskets.”
Tip-off between the two Lady Cardinals’ is set for 6:30 at Sedgwick High School with the boys’ game to follow at 7:00.
For continuing coverage of Cardinal and Lady Cardinal hoops all season long, stay tuned to the Salina Post, and follow us on Twitter @spostsports.