By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
Over the years, the Salina Central girl's basketball program has been closely associated with success, from the first of their 14 consecutive 10-win seasons to a runner-up finish in the 5A state tournament last year.
After a roller coaster of a campaign, including a stretch that saw the Lady Mustangs go 1-5, Central finds themselves right back on the doorstep of a 5A state tournament berth after upsetting Eisenhower 40-37 in hostile territory on Tuesday.
"We showed great composure down the stretch of a tournament game," Central head coach Chris Fear said. "Our players executed very well and didn’t allow Eisenhower to score in the last three minutes."
To make a triumphant return to the big dance in Class 5A, the Lady Mustangs will have to overcome a league foe in Andover that got them twice during the regular season.
In their first meeting back in early January, Central fell to the Lady Trojans 58-45 in Andover, but closed that gap in a tight 48-42 loss at the Brickhouse just a few weeks back.
While some teams would choose to be disheartened by two previous losses at the hands of a league foe, Central is eager for an opportunity to finish the job, and to return the maroon and white to the 5A state field.
"Andover is an outstanding basketball team and they've had a great season," Fear said. "We've played a challenging schedule and they are certainly a part of that. It’s going to be a big challenge but I know that we are going to play an outstanding basketball game."
In order to overcome the Lady Trojans, who enter this contest as both the 2-seed in the bracket and the #2 ranked team in Class 5A, Central will need to have an answer for Brooke Walker and Alana Shetlar, who combine for 26 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds on any given night.
"We have to limit what Walker and Shetler do offensively," Fear said. "That is a huge challenge but we have to keep them in the 40s. Offensively, we are going to have to take care of the ball and take advantage of the offensive chances we have."
Tip-off between the Lady Mustangs and Trojans is set for 7:00 at Andover High School with the winner punching their ticket to Emporia next week.
For continuing coverage of Central girl's basketball throughout the postseason, stay tuned to the Salina Post and follow us on Twitter @spostsports.