By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
The Southeast of Saline girl’s basketball team opened sub-state play with a triumphant 52-41 defeat of Beloit on Monday, advancing to the sub-state semis while completing the rare three-game sweep of a league rival.
With this win, the 8th-ranked Lady Trojan's overall record moves to 18-3 while Beloit’s season comes to an end at 4-17.
Much like the first two meetings with Beloit, Southeast jumped out to a big early lead and took a 10-2 advantage into the second quarter.
Not content to go down quietly, Beloit battled back and trailed by just five at the half courtesy of a big 10-0 run, but SES would hold the rival Trojans at arm's length the rest of the way to secure the quarterfinal victory.
Turnovers proved to be vital as the Southeast defense turned over the orange and black 18 times while coughing the ball up in the single digits themselves.
Offensively, it was another monster game for Reagan Goetz, who continues to save her best for last scoring 26 points, including 20 in the second half to secure the victory.
Goetz was joined in double figures by Brielle Ptacek, who added 11 more to the Lady Trojan tally.
Next up, SES will turn its attention to 13-8 Hoisington, who handled their business on Monday in a 47-39 win over Smoky Valley.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the bracket, Phillipsburg (21-0) eliminated Russell (2-18) 59-11, while Norton (13-9) knocked off Ellsworth (11-10) 47-36.
For continuing coverage of Lady Trojan hoops all throughout sub-state stay tuned to the Salina Post.