By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
After taking care of business knocking off Beloit 52-41 in the sub-state quarterfinals, the Southeast of Saline girl's basketball team is on to the semis to throw down with Hoisington on Thursday.
This 2-3 matchup will see the Lady Trojans enter at 18-3, still ranked as the #8 team in Class 3A while the Lady Cardinals come in at 13-8 after dispatching Smoky Valley 47-39 on Monday.
Southeast was lifted past Beloit thanks in part to a 26-point performance by Reagan Goetz, who has saved her best basketball for last here at the end of the year.
The Lady Trojans will be eager to get back on the floor in Russell this evening and take one more step toward a return to the 3A state tournament.
"Our girls are ready to play again and want to have the chance to play on Saturday in the championship game," SES head coach Shauna Smith said. "Hoisington is a good all-around team with some size, they play a solid 3-2 defense so we will have to move the ball to be able to attack inside."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the bracket, the #2 team in the state and 1-seed in Phillipsburg (21-0) will square off with the 4-seed in Norton (13-9) for the other spot in Saturday's finale.
The Lady Panthers defeated Russell 59-11 on Monday while the Blue Jays eliminated Ellsworth 47-36.
Tip-off between the Lady Trojans and Cardinals is set for 7:30 at Russell High School, with the winner advancing to the sub-state championship game at 5:30 on Saturday.
The game can be heard on KINA (910 AM or 107.5 FM) or streamed with live audio and video on the Salina Post courtesy of Bennington State Bank.
For continuing coverage of SES hoops all throughout the tournament stay tuned to the Salina Post.