By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
The Bennington girls basketball team will look to build off of a rock-solid 10-7 start under first-year head coach Tracy Piepho.
The Lady Bulldogs have already surpassed the 8-8 watermark of their 2020-21 campaign and will look to continue to ramp up to a run at sub-state with four games to go in the regular season.
“No one player has surprised me, but I’ve been impressed by the fact that someone different steps up each night,” Piepho said. “It might be a big rebound one game by one player and then a big shot made by another the next game. They are truly driven to see the team succeed.”
In terms of the things that are beyond their control, Bennington has had to deal with a lot this season but has handled everything thrown their way to get to this point.
“We have faced so much adversity including sickness, unexpected surgeries, and injuries and yet this team comes to play every night,” he said. “We always talk about ‘next man up’ in practice, and every time someone’s name is called, they step up to the challenge.”
Offensively, the Lady Bulldogs have been led this season by sophomore standout Kolbie Bartlett, who has averaged a double-double with 12 points and 11 boards each night.
Beyond Bartlett, Bennington hasn’t had as much consistent scoring as they would like, but the Bulldogs have found ways to get the job done with an array of players stepping up on different nights.
“We need to continue to improve our shooting,” Piepho said. “Our shooting percentage will need to be even better as we get to the postseason. We also need to continue to cut down on turnovers and continue to play our game - fast and furious.”
On the defensive side of things, the Bulldogs have been solid, holding half of their opponents so far to under 40 points.
While Bennington has just four games left on the schedule before sub-state they will be tested in the coming weeks with matchups against 11-4 Ell-Saline and 15-0 Berean Academy.
While these games present their own challenges, they also provide Bennington with an opportunity to play with some of the best in the state before it matters most.
“Our schedule has prepared us for the postseason,” Piepho said. Playing state-ranked teams should prepare us and we really feel like we can play with anyone. “We have a tough sub-state and even though some teams' records may not show it, they are battle-tested as well.”
The Lady Bulldogs will be back in action for a rematch with the Ell-Saline Cardinals on Tuesday night with a tip-off set for 6 pm.
For more on both Bennington basketball teams in 2022 stay tuned to the Salina Post.