By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
The Southeast of Saline girls basketball team (3-4) will travel to Beloit (0-2) for part one of the annual Trojan War.
The Lady Trojans are coming off a hard fought battle against fourth ranked Clay Center on Tuesday.
“We did a really good job of attacking them and controlling the game for the first three quarters,” SES head coach Shauna Smith said. “But we had five straight unforced turnovers which really let them rip the game open late.”
A big win over a rival like Beloit would go a long way towards establishing momentum as the team heads to the Sterling Invitational next week.
“I think for the girls Beloit has always been a big rivalry game and they’re ready to play,” Smith said. “We also understand that after a loss like the one we just had we really want to go into our tournament with a win.”
Beloit has played in just two games this season, falling to 1-6 Ellsworth and 3-4 Hoisington. But the lack of Beloit’s 2020 experience creates its own unique challenges for SES.
“This is probably the most unprepared that we’ve been going into a game since the first game of the year since Beloit only has two games worth of film,” she said.
The Trojans of Beloit are led by Porsche Cooper, a six-foot senior who will challenge Southeast under the rim.
Cooper is averaging a double-double on the year with 14 points and 13 rebounds per game.
“This won’t be an easy game by any means,” Smith said. “Beloit lost a lot of pieces from last season and is probably still trying to find their identity but they’ve always been a good program and they’re very well coached.”
Tip off between SES and Beloit is scheduled for 6:00 from Beloit High School. You can listen live on KINA (910 AM or 107.5 FM) or watch the stream on Salina Post courtesy of Salina Ortho.