By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
After defeating Minneapolis for a third time and Smoky Valley for a second, the Southeast of Saline boys basketball team will look to punch their ticket to state against a new opponent in Council Grove on Saturday.
The sixth-ranked Trojans come into the sub-state championship game on a 12-game winning streak with an overall record of 19-3 while the Braves enter the contest at 14-8.
After a slow start against Minneapolis, Southeast handled Smoky Valley comfortably on Friday, defeating the Vikings 57-42.
“I thought our defense was consistent in that game and we were pretty good on the glass as well,” SES head coach Bryson Flax said.
While many were expecting part three of the Trojan War between Southeast and Beloit, Council Grove had other plans, upsetting the 2-seed to advance to the sub-state final as SES looked on from the bleachers.
“Their patience in that game stood out to me,” Flax said. “They were in no hurry to score and waiting until Beloit made a mistake. Playing a team three times in the same year is difficult. We were good with either one, but it's nice to get someone new.”
That new team will be a handful for the Trojans, Council Grove averages 56 points per game thanks in large part to four players posting seven or more each night.
Kellen Marshall and Hunter Brintle have led the way for the Braves this season, averaging 18 and 13 per game respectively.
The Trojans will also need patience on offense against a Council Grove team that is in no hurry to make anything happen on either side of the ball, but will also need to find ways to dictate the pace of this game.
“We have to take their easy looks away and make them a little sped up and uncomfortable,” he said. “On the other side we have to move without the ball and make sure we're making them guard everywhere.”
It’s been a long time since a Southeast of Saline team qualified for the state tournament, but the time feels right for an SES team that has been playing their best basketball down the stretch.
“It would mean a ton for our guys to experience that,” Flax said. “The sports arena is such a fun environment and our guys have put a lot of work in. It would be great to see them get paid in that aspect.”
Tip-off between the Trojans and Braves is set for 5:30 pm with the winner punching their ticket to Hutch next week.
As always, the game can be heard on KINA (910 AM or 107.5 FM) or streamed live on the Salina Post courtesy of Bennington State Bank.
For continuing coverage of both SES basketball teams in the sub-state finals today, stay tuned to the Salina Post.