By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
The Southeast of Saline girl’s basketball team tipped off their Sterling Invitational run in style with a 42-26 victory over the Kingman Eagles.
Kingman will fall to the losers bracket to take on Lyons tomorrow at 3 pm while SES advances to the semi-finals to face the #1 team in Class 3A in Hugoton.
“It’s going to be important for us to limit second-chance points and make sure we keep ourselves between them and the basket,” Lady Trojan head coach Shauna Smith said.
The Southeast offense continues to get on the same page and tonight, three different players notched double-digit scoring.
Karsyn Schlesener led the way with 14 points, assisted by 11 from Avery Caselman and 10 from Reagan Goetz.
After another long break, SES came out rested and showed no signs of rust, scoring a game-high 17 points in the first quarter to take an early 12-point lead.
From there the defense continued to smother the Eagles, allowing a total of just 14 points in the first half.
“I thought the girls did a nice job of playing good, disciplined defense,” Smith said. “Every player stepped up and made plays throughout the game and I thought we played well together.”
At the final buzzer, Kingman had just one scorer in double digits, something that has become a hallmark of SES basketball this season.
The Trojans now turn their attention to the other Eagles in the bracket. Hugoton, who doubled up Lyons on Wednesday by a final score of 61-31, will enter Thursday's game at 6-1.
Tip-off is scheduled for Thursday at 5:30 pm. For continuing coverage of both SES basketball team’s throughout the Sterling Invitational, stay tuned to the Salina Post.