By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
The pre-Christmas gauntlet for the Southeast of Saline boys’ basketball team rolled on last night and the Trojans handled their business in style, knocking off ninth-ranked Hillsboro 56-37.
With this win, Southeast remains undefeated at 5-0 having knocked off three ranked opponents, including two preseason #1’s in that span, while Hillsboro falls to 2-3.
Hillsboro stuck around early in this game, keeping things within three after a quarter, but in the second, SES roared to life, outscoring their opponent 20-7 to have the rival Trojans doubled up at the half.
Things didn’t get much better for Hillsboro after that as Southeast kept their foot to the floor and cruised to their fifth straight win of the season 56-37.
It was clear that the SES had game-planned around Hillsboro star Breckyn Ratzlaff, who was held to just four points and one made field goal at the half, and finished his game with just eight.
On the Hillsboro side, the Trojans were led in scoring by Dawson Boldt, who was the only player to notch double-digits with 11.
For SES, eight different players chipped in a bucket while the Trojan frontcourt dominated, led by 16 from Eli Sawyers, and 11 from Nakari Morrical-Palmer.
Southeast also did an excellent job of taking care of the basketball, forcing Hillsboro into 11 turnovers while committing just four themselves, three of which came in the second half.
The Trojans will have one final game before winter break on Monday as SES ventures into Salina to take on their rivals from Sacred Heart, looking to secure a foothold in the NCAA.
For continuing coverage of Trojan hoops, stay tuned to the Salina Post.