By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
The Southeast of Saline girls’ basketball team won its seventh-straight game on Tuesday, while the boys’ team dropped their contest with Republic County in Belleville.
Girls: SE of Saline 60, Republic County 25
The Lady Trojan defense has been playing on another level over the last month or so, and Tuesday was no different, as for the third time in four games, SES forced more turnovers than they allowed points.
Things were fairly close in the first quarter, with Kyiah Samuelson leading the way and Southeast taking an early 16-7 lead.
Any doubt was erased in the second quarter, as the Lady Trojans outscored the Buffs 18-6 to push the lead to 21 at the break.
Republic County had their best quarter in the third, getting a bucket from four different players, but were completely stymied in a running clock fourth quarter in which they mustered just three points and one field goal.
The Lady Trojans turned defense into offense all night long, capitalizing on a staggering 30 Republic County turnovers.
Aba Pearson led SES in scoring, tying her career high with 20 points. Kyiah Samuelson wasn’t far behind with 17.
On the other side of the matchup no Lady Buffalo scored in double figures, but Tallyn Melton led the effort with eight points.
With this win, the Lady Trojans improve to 12-3 overall and 4-2 in league play while Republic County drops to 4-11 and 1-7.
Boys: Republic County 52, SE of Saline 38
On the boy’s side, shooting woes doomed the Trojans early as Southeast amassed just three field goals and four free throws in the first half.
Republic County held a 26-10 lead at the intermission, and while SES did pick up the pace offensively down the stretch, it ended up being too little too late as the Buffaloes pulled away for a 52-38 victory.
Tiernan Ptacek led the Trojan effort, scoring 18 of Southeast’s 38 points on the night.
On the other side Grayson Novak (18) and Connor Martin (16) finished at the top of the score sheet for Republic County.
With this result, the Buffaloes improve to 9-6 overall and 4-4 in league play while the Trojans slide to 4-11 and 3-5.
You can watch both games on demand below.