By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
After a huge 62-53 win over Osage City on Wednesday, the Southeast of Saline Trojans are on to the state semifinals to face the top-seeded team in the bracket in 23-1 Royal Valley.
Regardless of Friday’s result, the Trojans will be in for two more games in Hutch, and will have a shot to do something that no other team in SES history has done with a win tonight.
“We’re really happy to be in the position we’re in,” Southeast head coach Bryson Flax said. “Our guys have put in a lot of time and performed well in meaningful games. We’ve grown a lot and it’s time to give it a go.”
Both of these teams have been playing their best basketball down the stretch, and will enter this contest on winning streaks of 14 (SES) and 8 (RV) on Friday.
While Royal Valley will be one of the highest-ranked teams that the Trojans have faced this season, coming in at #3 in Class 3A, they will also be one of the biggest, something Southeast will need to compensate for.
“Their length stands out to me,” Flax said. “When they play their zone that creates issues, they’ve got some dudes that can put it in the basket and they’re not shy about taking shots. They’re a very good team and we’re going to have to play some really good basketball to compete.”
The Panthers have been led this season by Emporia State commit Nachs Wahwassuck, who has single-handedly dismantled defenses throughout a dominant Royal Valley season.
Wahwassuck had 29 points, including 14 from the free-throw line, in the Panther’s 60-56 win over Girard in their quarterfinal matchup on Wednesday.
“He’s a really good player and he wouldn’t be committed to Emporia State if he wasn’t,” he said. “We’re going to have to be good against ball screens and make him work for his shots. We can’t bail him out and we have to force him to take difficult looks and not get frustrated when he hits some of those.”
Royal Valley also boasts a rock-solid supporting cast of Eli Torres, Brady Klotz, and Carson Beam, who have grown even more dangerous with the amount of attention garnered by their star guard.
“We can’t get sealed on the post because they have some strong, athletic guys in there and they find those guys well,” Flax said. “This is one of the more challenging groups that we’ve had to guard but this is what we’re here for and we’re excited.”
Offensively, the Trojans will need to do the little things right to knock off the #1 seed and advance to the state final on Saturday, something no team in SES history has ever done.
“It’s crazy that no team in Southeast history has ever made a championship game with how many great teams have come through here,” he said. “You definitely have to catch a few breaks when you get to this point but nothing happens by chance. We’re happy to be here but we’re not satisfied and we want to give ourselves an opportunity to play for a title.”
Tip-off between the Trojans and Panthers is set for 2 pm on Friday with the winner advancing to face Hesston or Hays TMP in the state final at 4:00 on Saturday, and the losers meeting for the third-place game at noon.
As always, the game can be heard on KINA (910 AM or 107.5 FM) courtesy of Eagle Radio and Bennington State Bank.
For continuing coverage of the Trojans state-run, stay tuned to the Salina Post.