By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
After a 6-14 finish to their 2020-21 campaign, the Ell-Saline girl’s basketball team set out to flip that record this year.
With five games remaining in their regular season, the Lady Cardinals are just three wins away from achieving that lofty goal, after firing out to a scorching hot 10-1 start.
Ell-Saline has been ranked in Class 2A for the last five weeks and has built an impressive resume that showcases the work the Cardinals put in during practice.
“I love the grit and never quit attitude these girls have,” Ell-Saline head coach Bill Gies said. “Their effort and hard work in practice gives us the mental toughness we need to stay with it.”
The Cardinals have hit a bit of a road bump recently, dropping three of their last four, but avenged one of those losses with a 41-13 statement over Hutch Trinity.
Another year of varsity experience proved to be just what the doctor ordered for Ell-Saline, who has looked much more composed in high-pressure situations this year.
“I am constantly seeing the unexpected from our seniors,” Gies said. “Sadie, Raleigh, and Raynee are doing all the small things and leading behind the scenes. Our Juniors, Keala and Lani just grind every day. Bayleigh has shot it better as the season moves and Avery, Ally, and Brin are making big contributions.”
While Ell-Saline expected to be better this year, the speed of their rebuild has caught many in Brookeville off guard, and the dramatic come from behind victories that the team has pulled off would have gone much differently last year.
“It’s not that I’m surprised by how well we’ve played, but I’ve been surprised with the way we have won games down 13, 9, 6 in the fourth,” he said. “In our first game with Minneapolis, we were down at half and I told the girls, ‘we have them right where we want them.’ It’s been that kind of feeling.”
The comeback kids will need to continue their intense defense, and lightning-fast offense against a gauntlet to end their season.
Before sub-state Ell-Saline will face 14-0 Berean Academy, 9-6 Bennington, and the #1 team in Class 2A in 13-0 Sterling.
“We have to be confident shooters,” Gies said. “there are times we shoot very relaxed and that needs to continue. I believe these girls could be a tough matchup in the postseason, I know they are a special bunch.”
The Lady Cards will be back in action on Friday night when they travel to take on Berean Academy in Elbing.
For continuing coverage of both Ell-Saline basketball teams in 2022 stay tuned to the Salina Post.