By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
The Abilene and Rock Creek boys' basketball teams will collide in this year's sub-state semifinals as the two meet in St. George for a rematch of an early December tilt.
The Cowboys come into this contest at 11-9 overall while the Mustangs enter at 12-8 having won three of their last four.
These two met back in the second game of the regular season in what would go down as a resounding 60-33 win for the then 4th-ranked Cowboys, but Abilene is well aware that the team they face tonight is nothing like the one they got before Christmas.
"Rock Creek has improved drastically since our first game in December," Cowboy head coach Erik Graefe said. "They are disciplined, smart, and have several players who can score. It’s going to be a battle."
Meanwhile, the Mustangs will be in search of a little revenge, not only for that early December loss, but for a 64-57 overtime falter that cost them a trip to the state tournament last year.
"I hope our team plays with full effort for a full game tonight," Rock Creek head coach Justin Smith said. "If we do we will have an opportunity to be successful."
On the other side of the bracket, the 1-seed in Hugoton (18-2) will host Winfield (3-17) with the winners of these two games squaring off on Friday for a ticket to state.
Tip-off between the Cowboys and Mustangs is scheduled for 7:00 in St. George at Rock Creek High School.
For continuing coverage of Abilene hoops at sub-state, stay tuned to the Salina Post.