By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
The Abilene Cowboys have punched their ticket to the state tournament, and will begin their run at the 4A title today with a home game against the 12-10 McPherson Bullpups.
Typically the first round of state would be played at the Tony’s Pizza Events Center in Salina but in another covid-related twist the team with the better record will host unseeded quarterfinal games in each bracket, granting the 13-5 Cowboys one last home game this season.
Abilene made it through their sub-state bracket as the one-seed, with wins of 28-20 over Chapman and 38-34 over Concordia.
McPherson on the other hand comes out of their bracket as the two-seed, with a 59-25 win over Pratt and a 57-54 upset of Buhler, who were seeded higher due to record but ranked lower in the final class 4A rankings.
The Bullpups dropped seven of their last 11 contests to end the regular season, but that same schedule prepared them to play their best basketball at the end of the season.
McPherson is also accustomed to the tough road atmosphere that they might face at Abilene, defeating sixth-ranked Buehler on their home floor prior to this matchup.
Tip off is scheduled for 6pm at Abilene High School with the winner advancing to play in the seeded state semi-final on Thursday at the Tony’s Pizza Events Center in Salina.
Other teams playing in 4A quarterfinals tonight include 16-5 Augusta hosting 15-5 Rose Hill, 19-1 Shawnee Mission Meige hosting 14-7 Holton and 16-6 Louisburg hosting 12-7 Parsons.
For continuing coverage of the Abilene Cowboys state tournament run stay tuned to the Salina Post.