By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
With a resounding win over Hutch Trinity on Wednesday, the Southeast of Saline boy’s basketball team is on to the winner’s semi-final in the Sterling Invitational.
Awaiting them will be a familiar foe in the Hugoton Eagles, who SES matched up with three times in this tournament from 2015-17.
While Hugoton knocked the Trojans out in all three of those games, Southeast did get the last laugh in 2017, eliminating the Eagles' 56-38 in the postseason.
This year’s Hugoton team comes in at 5-3 after a 51-49 thriller with Smoky Valley on Wednesday, and their losses in the ledger have all been at the hands of tough opponents.
“Hugoton is definitely better than their record indicates,” Trojan head coach Bryson Flax said. “They’re battle-tested and very well-coached.”
The Eagles boast an offense that has averaged 55 points per game this season, led by their double-digit scoring duo of Carson Bennett and Ryle Riddlesperger.
“We have to commit to making those two uncomfortable,” Flax said. “That’s no easy task as they’re both very good players. Our defense off of them is almost as important as it is on them.”
In a lot of ways, the Hugoton offense operates in a similar manner to what has worked for the Trojans this season, which could lead to a track meet of a semi-final contest.
“They push the ball and run some motion offense mixed with a few sets,” he said. “To be honest we have a lot of similarities in our play styles and there could be a lot of pace and flow tonight.”
After a slow start against Hutch Trinity, Southeast will need to come out swinging against a much better opponent if they want to advance to the tournament final.
“We have to guard all of their actions and be relentless," Flax said. "We also have to make sure they’re one shot and out. If you give a team like this multiple opportunities they’re capable of burying you.
Tip-off between the Trojans and Eagles is set for 5:30 pm following the girl’s game with the same matchup at 4:30.
The boy’s game can be streamed on the Salina Post while the girl’s game can be heard on KINA (910 AM or 107.5 FM) courtesy of Eagle Radio.