BY ADAM COULTER
Salina Post Contributor
After holding off Bennington by a 52-45 score in the 2A boys sub-state championship game at Wabaunssee on Saturday night, Sacred Heart will begin its run at a state championship this Thursday at Dodge City.
With the score tied at 6-6, Sacred Heart ended the first quarter of their sub-state championship game on an 8-0 run. Bennington kept it close from that point on, but could never reclaim the lead. Thanks in part to Evan Bogart's 11 first-half points, the Knights went on top by a dozen at halftime with the score 32-20.
In the third quarter, the Bulldogs outscored the Knights 12-6 to cut the deficit in half heading into the final eight minutes of the game. Bennington kept clawing away and found themselves trailing by only two points twice in the fourth quarter, but, in the end, Sacred Heart held on for the win.
Max Ehrlich led the Knights with 16 points.
2A boys state tournament quarterfinal: #4 Sacred Heart (20-3) vs. #5 Erie (18-5)
Sacred Heart brings seven seniors into its 2A state tournament opener. The Knights only three losses this season came against Beloit and Ellsworth. Both of those teams qualified for the 3A state tournament in Hutchinson.
Erie comes into the game with two players averaging double-figures in scoring. Ethan Dillinger will be the key player as to whether or not the Red Devils advance in the tournament. The 6'8'' Senior averages 20.2 points and 11.8 rebounds per game and presents a big size disadvantage for the Knights. Additionally, Junior Reid Duff averages 16.5 points per game.
Tip-off is set for 4:00 pm Tuesday afternoon from United Wireless Arena in Dodge City.
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