By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
The Southeast of Saline Lady Trojans fought to the bitter end, but fell just short in overtime 69-67 to take second in this year’s Sterling Invitational.
While a two-point loss to the #1 team in Class 2A may sting, this week was a statement for SES.
Southeast entered the week as the #10 team in Class 3A, took down the #1 team in their own class, and were a few breaks away from knocking out a second top-ranked opponent in as many days.
Regardless of what number appears next to SES in the 3A rankings next week, this team has proven their ability to not just compete with the best in the state, but to take down those teams in high-pressure games.
The Lady Trojans came out on fire tonight knocking down six threes in the opening quarter against Sterling to take a 22-14 lead on a team that allows an average of just 35 points per game.
They kept their foot on the gas, taking a ten-point lead into the fourth quarter, but once again left too many opportunities at the free-throw line, shooting 5/10 as the Black Bears clawed back.
In the final 30 seconds of regulation, Kali Briar buried a contested three off a screen to tie the game and send the two to overtime.
Each team had their opportunities in OT, with Sterling scoring the first two buckets of added time. SES shot 3/6 at the line while the Black Bears converted just 1/5.
With 30 seconds left to play, Karsyn Schlesener drove the lane and delivered SES a lead that was quickly snatched back by Sadie Beagley with under 15 to go.
On the ensuing play, Schlesener brought the ball down the floor, drove the baseline, and dropped in what would have been the tying bucket, but a Trojan timeout just before the shot kept the points off the board.
SES got the ball back to Schlesener again for the final shot, but as the senior split the double team she lost her balance and left her shot short as Southeast fell in a heartbreaker.
Sterling remains undefeated at 12-0 but this weekend's trio of games puts the Lady Trojans in an excellent position with an 8-3 record and a rock-solid resume to take down the stretch.
SES entered the season with one of the most stifling defenses in Class 3A and over the course of the last two to three weeks the offense has started to match that intensity and efficiency.
In two of the three games of the Sterling Invitational, SES had three scorers in double digits and has continued to spread the ball out well offensively.
For their efforts, Karsyn Schlesener and Maddie Harris were named to the all-tournament team.
Both Trojan teams will be back in action on Tuesday to resume league play against the Republic County Buffaloes.
To see the full replays from both of today’s games, click the link HERE.