By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
The Southeast of Saline Lady Trojans will begin their sub-state run on Monday night when they host the 4-14 Kingman Lady Eagles.
Kingman enters the tournament as a seven-seed while SES comes in as the two.
The Lady Trojans have come a long way to get here, as a young team featuring no seniors has developed very quickly throughout the season.
“I think all of us have matured together as a team,” SES head coach Shauna Smith said. “Early in the season we were looking to Karsyn to do everything for us but later on and especially in the last few games we’ve really spread things out and everyone is doing their jobs really well.”
This game, which will tip off at 7pm at Southeast of Saline High School, will be a rematch of a game from the Sterling Invitational that the Lady Trojans won 40-26.
“That was kind of a ‘get it out’ game after a really hard fought loss to Sterling the night before,” Smith said. “I know this game isn’t going to be easy for us but I’m hoping that we can pick up where we left off on Tuesday with everyone scoring well again.”
Kingman has struggled mightily to find wins at the end of the season, losing their last four straight and seven of their last nine.
The last time these two met, no Lady Eagles made it to ten points, with Hannah Pearce coming the closest with nine.
Despite Kingman’s record and a sound victory for SES in the first meeting, Coach Smith and her team remain focused on picking up a win and advancing to the semi-final on Thursday.
“We’re going to have to handle some pressure and they’re going to be physical with us all night long,” she said. “We know we can defend, that’s something we do really well night in and night out but to win these next three games we’re going to have to score, maybe even in the 50s and 60s to give ourselves a chance.”
If the Lady Trojans handle their business tonight, they will host the winner of the 3-6 matchup featuring 13-6 Hesston and 4-14 Ellsworth.
All playoff games can be heard on KINA (910 AM or 107.5 FM).