By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
Following another exceptional campaign that saw them finish 24-2 with a third-place trophy at state, the Southeast of Saline basketball team will look to reload ahead of the 2023-24 season.
Head coach Bryson Flax returns to Gypsum for his sixth season at the helm after leading the Trojans to a third-straight 20+ win result.
SES will have to overcome one of its biggest graduating classes, as the Trojans said goodbye to eight seniors last offseason, including a majority of its rotation, but will still have a trio of seniors leading the lineup.
G- Danny Kejr (Sr)
W- Connor Casselman (Sr)
F- Brenton Leeds (Sr)
The final two starting spots are currently up for grabs, with senior Kirby Davis, junior Owen Bailey, and sophomore Gannon Jacobson all battling it out in practice.
Beyond that, SES should still have a deep rotation thanks to senior Omar Calzada, junior Samuel Knopf, and a pair of sophomores in Isaiah Kejr and Grady Gebhardt.
Ahead of the 2023-24 campaign, we had a chance to catch up with Coach Flax and get his thoughts on this year’s squad.
Q: When you had a chance to look back on it, what were your overall thoughts on last season?
A: We had one of the better groups in the state last season and it was an extremely successful season. Each class hits a coach a different way and that class was very special to me as the first class I had for four years.
Q: Entering this year, what would you say are the biggest known strengths of your team?
A: Our ability to shoot the ball consistently should be a strength. In years past we’ve had one or two guys that could hit shots when they got going but as a group we’re capable of knocking down open shots we just have to find them.
Q: What are the biggest looming questions or challenges that you’ll look to sort out in these first few weeks?
A: We’re going to have to find our way defensively. Last year’s group had a very high basketball IQ and could recover quickly if they were out of position. This group will really have to focus on being in the right spots at the right time and we’re getting better but it’s been a process.
Q: What are the biggest goals and expectations for this group heading into the new season?
A: We have a different roster but our expectations are the same. We expect to go out and compete every night and that may look or feel different but at the end of the day it’s about competing and giving ourselves opportunities to win games.
The Trojans open their season in Hesston with a road game against the Swathers this Friday.