By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
One of the biggest rivalries in the state of Kansas did not disappoint on Friday night, as Salina South and Salina Central split their doubleheader on the hardwood.
Girls Game: Salina South 51, Salina Central 46
The long wait finally came to an end for Justin Ebert and his Lady Cougars, who picked up a huge win over Salina Central after dropping each of their last five contests over the last three seasons.
It was a hot start for the Lady Mustangs, who utilized their pressure to force South into a slew of early turnovers, leading to a big Central run in transition, but the Lady Cougars adjusted and clawed back to make it a one-point game at the half.
Both Paityn Fritz and Tamia Cheeks looked solid in the first half, but the second would be their magnum opus, and Salina Central didn’t have an answer.
Fritz, who entered tonight’s game averaging 13 points, would knock down six shots in the second half, leading all scorers with 25 points, while Cheeks, who ended her night with 17, drilled big daggers near the end of each half.
Central had the more even scoring output, with 13 from Callan Hall, 10 from Saniyah Triplett, 9 from Tyler Vidrickson, and 8 from Azbey Peckham, but couldn’t find the buckets they needed to stay in it late as South pulled away.
The Lady Cougars remain perfect at 3-0 on the year while Salina Central falls to 1-2.
South will return home to battle Hutch on Tuesday while Central hits the road to take on Goddard.
Boys Game: Salina Central 65, Salina South 57
The boy’s game saw two teams not only eager to overcome their biggest rival, but hungry for their first win of the season with both squads entering at 0-2.
Each side got off to a slow start offensively, as the score sat at 9-6 Central at the end of the first quarter.
The offenses in this game started to settle into a rhythm in the second quarter, and in the second half, both exploded, leading to a fun back-and-forth battle down the stretch.
Kaden Snyder would finish his night with 30 points, including 25 in the second half and clutch shooting down the stretch.
Snyder was matched almost shot for shot by Salina South’s Sawyer Walker, who dazzled in his starting debut, knocking down six threes, en route to a 30-point performance himself.
Ultimately, the already short-handed Cougars found themselves in foul trouble late, and Central was able to pull away for the 65-57 victory.
The Mustangs will hit the road to take on Goddard on Tuesday while the Cougars return home to battle Hutch.