By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
The Chapman and Abilene girls basketball teams will square off today in the final area rivalry matchup of 2021.
Both teams will be in search of some much-needed momentum ahead of the break at 1-4.
“Our defense has been clicking but we’ve had too many wasted possessions and turnovers offensively,” first-year Chapman head coach Michael Wahlmeier said. “If we can cut down on those we’ll be a lot more competitive.”
While coach Wahlmeier’s bunch has looked good defensively, allowing just 42 points per game, the team is still looking to settle into a groove on offense.
“We need to understand where our scoring needs to come from,” he said. “Sometimes we’re trying to force things to create something out of nothing and that’s led to a lot of turnovers.”
Statistically, this matchup is dead even on paper. The Cowgirls have been outscored 173-219 while Chapman has been outscored 174-213 this season.
Anything is possible in a rivalry game, but especially in one with no clear favorite between schools with a deep-rooted history.
“This is my first year in this rivalry but it’s fun and I told them that if I have to give them a big pregame speech tonight that they’re in the wrong place,” Wahlmeier said.
Offensively, both teams have spread the ball out evenly this season, with no player on either side averaging double-digit points per game.
With that being said, Abilene has shown prowess from the outside this season that will keep the Irish on their toes.
“If we leave them open they’re going to knock down their threes and I don’t know that we have the firepower to keep up with that,” Wahlmeier said. “We have to stay active on the perimeter and force them to take some twos.”
Chapman will also have to contend with Abilene’s length tonight and find ways to limit the Cowgirls to just one shot per possession.
“We have to keep them off the boards,” he said. “A lot of their success comes from cleaning up missed shots and if we can limit their second chance opportunities I like our chances.”
Tip-off between the Cowgirls and Irish is set for 6 pm at Chapman High School with the boys game to follow at 7.