By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
The Southeast of Saline boys’ basketball team is officially state bound after defeating Beloit 56-42 in Saturday’s sub-state championship game.
In addition to punching their ticket to Hutch, the Trojans move to 22-1 on the year while Beloit’s campaign comes to a close at 17-6 with half of their total losses coming at the hands of Southeast.
Overall, the purple Trojans played another complete game on Saturday, lacking for very little as they once again asserted their dominance over a league foe.
“I thought we were really tough tonight,” SES head coach Bryson Flax said. “We rebounded at a really high level for long stretches and our defense and bench prevailed once again. We knew it was going to be ugly, it always is with Beloit but we were locked in and I’m proud of my guys for being tough and staying the course.”
Things started well enough for Southeast, who opened the game on an 8-0 run before Beloit struck back with a 12-2 run of their own to take an early lead.
“At that point, I remember thinking ‘we’re in for it, it’s going to be a heck of a game,’ Flax said. “We did some boneheaded things that allowed them to get uncontested shots but you know your players are going to come through for you and I trusted these guys to get the job done.”
After conceding the lead, Beloit fought to keep it close, but the depth and might of SES allowed the Trojans to pull away and punch their ticket to the 3A state tournament.
“Everything needed to have purpose in the second half,” he said. “We needed to keep our composure even-keeled and we needed to be intentional on the boards and every time we put the ball on the floor.”
When all was said and done seven different Trojans entered the scoring column for Southeast, led by Eli Sawyers (13), Luke Gebhardt (12) and Nakari Morrical-Palmer (10).
SES also received a sizable contribution from Caden Isaacson, who played a big role in distributing, as well as on defense in the big win despite not scoring himself.
“I don’t think we win this game without Caden Isaacson,” he said. “He’s a little banged up but he’s a tough son of a gun. He found Drew on two corner threes and he made a lot of good decisions throughout.”
Next up for the Trojans will be a return to the Hutchinson Sports Arena and to the 3A state tournament where eight of the best teams from around the class will duke it out for an elusive state title.
“We have such a good group and I’m proud of them in every way,” Flax said. “I’m excited now for our next journey.”