By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
The preseason hype around the Salina Central girl’s basketball team was well deserved as the Lady Mustangs have exploded out to a 13-0 start with seven games remaining.
In addition to the undefeated record, the Lady Stangs have been ranked as the #1 team in Class 5A for a second straight week and show absolutely no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Central hasn’t taken any prisoners this season, averaging 65 points per game while allowing just 30 on average.
Their resume includes wins over #4 Andover Central and #5 Goddard, a pair of games that the Lady Mustangs won by a combined 47 points.
On offense, senior Aubrie Kierscht has been on a tear, averaging an absurd 22.5 points per game.
Backing up Kierscht is one of the deepest lineups in the state including Hampton Williams, who has averaged 11 points and a team-leading 6 boards this season.
Central returned a great deal of talent from last year’s team and that experience has been critical down the stretch of several big games this season already.
I believe that everyone in our program is better than they were last season,” Mustang head coach Chris Fear said. “That has allowed us to really improve as a team.”
Defensively, Central has smothered the competition all season long, holding five opponents to under 25 points and allowing just one to reach the 50-mark.
“We have really defended at a high level,” Fear said. “That was something we wanted to improve and also to be consistent with as we came into this season. “
While the Mustangs have had a ton of success in 2021-22, now is not the time for complacency, especially with rematches against Andover Central, Goddard, and Andover looming on the horizon.
“We have to make sure that we continue to work each day to improve as individuals and as a team,” he said. “We have a long way to go and need to get a lot better.”
While many teams enter survival mode come sub-state time, Central will hold a different perspective this year, looking to be the hunters this postseason.
“We certainly have a goal to win a state championship as several other teams do,” Fear said. “To do that, several things have to go your way. This team is confident and determined. We are going to enjoy the process and take each day as it comes.”
Central will be back in action this Friday when they travel to Andover Central for a rematch with the fourth-ranked Jaguars.
For continuing coverage of both Mustang basketball teams, this season stay tuned to the Salina Post.