By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
The Southeast of Saline Lady Trojans defeated Hesston for the first time since 2016, opening their season in style with a 41-33 win.
SES was led in scoring by Maddie Harris with 11 points, and a combination of Karsyn Schlesener, Lexi Jacobson, Mallorie Pearson, and Reagan Goetz who spread the wealth evenly to add another 26.
“We played nine players tonight and every one of them contributed in a big way,” Trojan head coach Shauna Smith said. “That’s who we are this season, we’re not a one-man team.”
Southeast trailed by seven points late in the second quarter but strung together two 5-0 runs to take the lead and never looked back.
“I never expected this team to look rattled and I thought we really kept our composure even in this hostile environment,” Smith said.
The Trojans allowed just two Swathers to score five or more points, led by a twelve-point performance by Katie Kueker, but the lack of production would prove to be Hesston’s undoing as they began their 2021-22 campaign 0-1.
In addition to her seven points, Lexi Jacobson was a force on the boards tonight, helping SES hold Hesston to one shot and giving the Trojans second chances on offense.
“Lexi is a pretty bouncy player for us,” Smith said. “I don’t think people realize how quick she is. She’s going to improve tremendously, and we love the second wave of players that we have to throw at people to wear them down.”
Things won’t get any easier for SES, who face a gauntlet before the holiday break.
The Lady Trojan's next five games include perennial powers in Smoky Valley and Hillsboro, rivalry games against Beloit and Sacred Heart, and a clash with a Class 4A area foe in Abilene.
“I love how challenging our schedule is before Christmas,” she said. “This is going to make us better and we had this game circled on our calendar but we’re already talking about Smoky Valley. We have to take things one game at a time and take care of our business.”
The Trojans will stay on the road for a visit with the Vikings on Tuesday, December 7th.
For more on Lady Trojan hoops, keep it locked to the Salina Post.