Mar 03, 2021

Trojans eliminate Ellsworth 70-49 to advance to sub-state semis

Posted Mar 03, 2021 4:56 AM

By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor

This sub-state recap is sponsored by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!
This sub-state recap is sponsored by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!

The Southeast of Saline Trojans picked up a big round one win tonight, eliminating the Ellsworth Bearcats by a final score of 70-49.

Ellsworth will end its 2020-21 campaign with a final record of 10-7 while Southeast advances to the sub-state semifinal to face Hesston at 14-7 on Friday.

The Bearcats kept things close early, with SES holding just a six point lead at the end of the first, but the Trojans settled in, slamming the gas and never looking back.

“We shot it really well tonight,” SES head coach Bryson Flax said. “We were drawing extra help off the bounce and making the right decisions and I like the way our guys can shoot when they get into a rhythm.”

Camden Spano-Lund and Eli Sawyers stole the show offensively tonight, putting up 19 and 18 points respectively.

Second chance opportunities proved to be a big key to the Trojans success tonight, as SES used their physical advantage to find offensive boards.

“We knew we had to value each possession and we thought from an athletic standpoint we had an advantage over Ellsworth,” Flax said. “I thought we did a good job of exploiting that tonight.”

The Trojans also got seven other players involved in the scoring column and while none reached double-digits, the unpredictable nature of who finds big points for SES continues to be a big strength.

Southeast will play twice at Hesston High School with the girls team taking on the Lady Swathers on Thursday and the boys playing the Swathers on Friday. While the site is supposed to be neutral, this is Hesston’s year to host, giving both teams a big home game for the semi-final.

“I like the atmosphere at Hesston, I think the guys will feed off of that,” he said. “They have played unbelievable defense lately so we’ll have to be very efficient.”

The Swathers defeated Halstead 60-22 tonight to advance to the semi-final.

Stay tuned to the Salina Post for continuing coverage of Trojan and Lady Trojan basketball as we work our way through the sub-state tournament.