By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
The #10 Southeast of Saline boys basketball team battled to the final minutes but could not close out a second win over a ranked opponent in the same week, falling to top-ranked Hillsboro 66-57.
SES fell behind early in this one but the Trojans rallied with a 20-5 run to draw level at halftime.
“Most of our success came when we started rebounding and getting out on the run,” SES head coach Bryson Flax said. “When you make them take tough shots and you’re getting rebounds that usually gets the offense flowing but we can’t spot good team's points like this.”
Southeast kept it close, heading into the final quarter down by just one possession, but Hillsboro pulled away late to remain undefeated at 6-0 while SES falls to 3-2.
The Trojans were led by Luke Gebhardt with 18 in the loss, who was joined in double-digits by Eli Sawyers, Nakari Morrical-Palmer, and Kayson Liley, who posted a new career-high with 11 points.
SES stayed true to themselves but could have been a bit more patient offensively in the grueling, physical matchup against the #1 team in Class 2A.
“We have to be a little pickier in spots,” Flax said. “For the most part I thought our shot selection was good but if the ball moves 3-4 times we can get a better one and for most of that second half we were just trading buckets.”
The Trojans will be back in action one last time before the new year when they return home to take on the #10 Sacred Heart Knights.
“Sacred Heart is playing good basketball right now and they’re going to be hungry,” he said. “We’re looking forward to it.”