By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
After starting their seasons with a bang the Ell-Saline and Solomon girls’ basketball teams each faltered earlier this week, and will look to get back on track as the two meet in Brookville tonight.
The Lady Cardinals kicked off their year with a resounding 53-14 victory over Herington before dropping their Tuesday tilt with Minneapolis 37-44.
“We weren't firing on all cylinders and Minneapolis is a lot like us, they played hard and fast,” Ell-Saline head coach Brandi Schneider said. “Hopefully, we will have everyone back and healthy for Friday.
For the Lady Gorillas, their campaign opened with a gritty 23-20 win over Burrton before Bennington got the better of them 37-7 on Tuesday.
“Our response was the best thing I saw in that game,” Solomon head coach Luke Riordan said. “At no point did I feel like any of them just gave up and quit. They battled to the end and built each other up throughout the game and I’m proud of my girls for that.
Now, these two teams will turn their attention to one another looking to get back above .500 at the midway mark of the December calendar.
For the Lady Gorillas, their biggest adjustments will need to come on the offensive end as Solomon stresses valuing each possession.
“We need to improve on our pass selection and turnovers,” Riordan said. “It's really hard to win games with the number of turnovers we had on Tuesday. We had a good couple of days of practice where that was the main focus, so I am anticipating an improvement on Friday.”
While many teams would be tempted to overlook Solomon on the heels of a nine-point performance, Ell-Saline knows much better than to fall victim to that trap, and will be ready to bring their A-Game on Friday night.
“We were that school not so long ago,” Schneider said. “The upperclassmen remember that first year when we went 6-14 and how we talked about being that “dangerous” for the teams that played us. Those teams are the ones that have nothing to lose and can really come out and lay it all on the line every night.”
In addition to taking care of the basketball, the Gorillas will have to contend with a Cardinals squad that loves to cause chaos in transition and run the floor with blazing speed.
“They have a great team and I can tell they are well-coached,” Riordan said. “Their strength is in their defense and their capabilities with their guards. They're an athletic team and it will be a good challenge for us, it all comes down to us keeping the ball in our possession, limiting turnovers, and running our offense as we know how.”
On the other side of this matchup, Ell-Saline will look to control the tempo and convert from the stripe when they get those opportunities.
“From what I’ve seen, they will look to slow the pace of the game down and will be a new look for us,” Schneider said. We have to take advantage of free throws, set the thermostat of the game and be healthy and ready to play our game.”
Tip-off between the Lady Cardinals and Gorillas is set for 6 pm at Ell-Saline high school with the boys’ game to follow at 7:30.
For continuing coverage of both teams all season long stay tuned to the Salina Post.