By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
The Southeast of Saline girls basketball team will return home tonight looking to extend their six five-game win streak against the Minneapolis Lions.
The Lady Trojans handed Minne their second loss of the season 55-43 on January first, which kicked off a six-game losing streak for the Lions.
Minneapolis has recovered since then, winning their last three in a row, and should be up to the task of challenging Southeast in the rematch tonight.
“They’re so young but they’ve matured throughout the season as they’ve gotten used to varsity basketball,” SES head coach Shauna Smith said. “We have to move the ball and we can’t let them speed us up. If we can move the ball I think we can get some great looks instead of just good looks tonight.”
Southeast survived a fourth-quarter surge in the first meeting thanks to strong performances by Mallorie Pearson and Maddie Harris who were able to add 15 and 14 respectively.
“I thought we got settled in early and exposed the way they overplay defensively even though we missed some easy buckets,” Smith said.
Like Southeast, Minneapolis has relied on even scoring spreads on offense this season to keep teams off balance and has stifled opposing offenses, holding the opposition to under 35 points per game on average.
“They’re a good, well-coached team,” she said. “They’re going to be one of the best defensive teams that we’ve played all year so we have to move the ball from side to side to set up open shooters.”
Offensively, the Lions mimic Southeast’s style as well, relying on aggressive drives to the basket and getting to the free-throw line to generate points.
“We have to play solid defense and make them work for shots,” Smith said. “They have five girls who can put the ball on the floor and drive so we have to contest and make sure we’re limiting them to one shot.”
The Lady Trojans are just three league wins away from capping off back-to-back undefeated league seasons, and could take a big step towards another NCAA title with a win tonight.
Tip-off between SES and Minneapolis is set for 6 pm at Southeast of Saline high school with the boy’s game to follow at 7.
As always, both games can be heard on KINA (910 AM or 107.5 FM) courtesy of Eagle Radio.