By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
The #1 team in Class 5A will begin their postseason run on Wednesday as the undefeated Salina Central girls basketball team prepares to host Newton.
The Lady Mustangs enter the sub-state bracket as the 1-seed at 20-0 while the Railroaders come in at 2-18.
The two met a week ago in the final days of the regular season in a dominant 62-16 win for Central, and there is little on paper to indicate that tonight’s game will be any different.
“We are very confident,” Mustang head coach Chris Fear said. “I think we have earned a level of confidence with how we have played this season. We have a very high level of respect for everyone we play and we know that the season will end if we lose.”
Behind 21 points per game from senior standout Aubrie Kierscht along with a loaded supporting cast, Central came just shy of doubling up their opponents in points scored this season 1,257-668.
On the other side of that coin, Newton was outscored by 361 points throughout the year, averaging fewer than 30 per game in 2021-22.
Despite this, the Lady Stangs remain focused on the ultimate goal, and won’t let uneven early matchups like this one shake their focus.
“I’m not concerned about us overlooking anyone,” Fear said. “We have been pointing to the post-season for a couple of weeks now. We know what is on the line and I think we will be locked in.”
Ranked #1 in their class and without a single loss to their name, this year’s team is primed for a deep postseason run, but remains wary of just how steep the climb to the top will be.
“Our goal is definitely to play for a state championship but there are only going to be 2 teams that get that opportunity,” he said. “We have already accomplished so many things this season.”
For Central, the game plan will remain relatively unchanged as the Mustangs look to play their game and advance to the sub-state final later this week.
“We are usually at our best when we can score the ball inside early and then go to our perimeter game,” Fear said. “It’s also important for us to get stops so we can get to our transition game as well.”
Tip-off between the Lady Mustangs and Railroaders is set for 7 pm at Central High School with the winner advancing to face either 12-8 Hays or 11-9 Maize South for a ticket to State on Saturday.
For continuing coverage of the Lady Mustangs throughout the sub-state tournament, stay tuned to the Salina Post.