By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
Following a dominant 60-23 victory over Newton in the sub-state semifinal on Wednesday the Salina Central girls basketball team will look to punch their ticket to state as they host Hays on Saturday.
The undefeated Lady Mustangs enter this game as the top-ranked and seeded team in Class 5A while the Indians come in at 13-8 fresh off a 37-35 win over Maize South.
Central looked like a well-oiled machine in their sub-state opener dominating in all facets of the game and holding the Railroaders to just over five points per quarter without sending them to the line.
I thought we really defended well against Newton,” Mustang head coach Chris Fear said. “We were able to play aggressively without fouling.”
Central will need to keep that intensity up to eliminate a Hays team that the Mustangs knocked off 68-43 earlier this season.
“Hays is very physical,” Fear said. “They have good size in the post and will rebound effectively. “We have to stay out of foul trouble, get the proper position, and move our feet.”
Hays has been led in scoring this season by Freshman Molly Martin with 10 points per game but has consistently spread the ball out and hit opponents from all over the floor.
“Hays has good balance,” he said. “They can score the ball in the post and have a couple of players who shoot it very well from the perimeter as well. We will have to be prepared to defend in every area.”
For Central, it will be critical to get Aubrie Kierscht rolling early and often. The senior standout has averaged 21 points per game and added 19 earlier this week against Newton.
Even if Kierscht finds herself double-teamed, the Lady Stangs boast one of the deepest rosters in Class 5A, with Hampton Williams, Mykayla Cunningham, and Chaliscia Samilton combining to tally 28 more each night.
“Hays is going to play us man to man,” Fear said. “They’re going to face guard Aubrie and try to make our other players beat them. We have seen that all season and are going to be very prepared.”
Tip-off between the Mustangs and Indians is set for 6 pm at Central High School on Saturday with the winner punching their ticket to the state tournament in Emporia next week.
For continuing coverage of the Mustang's postseason run stay tuned to the Salina Post.