(Elk Horn) Exira-EHK and Stanton will play for a trip to state in a game that airs on KS95.7 FM. The game starts at 7:00 and pregame coverage will hit the air at around 6:45 p.m.
Sixteen teams remain alive in Class 1A girls basketball going into tonight. The field will be whittled down into an eight team group of state qualifiers. The 10th rated Viqueens are a perfect 24-0. The 5th ranked Spartans are 21-1. Exira-EHK coach Tom Petersen says, “We’ve played them a few times the last two years. They are all a lot older now and more mature with their basketball IQ. They run their game plan really well. Obviously they are well coached otherwise they wouldn’t be in this position. They have a lot of balance all the way across so it’s going to be a really tough game for us.”
Exira-EHK won a regional semifinal over Stanton 53-43 last year. The Spartans put together a 16-7 4th quarter to open things up late. Both teams have been strong defensively throughout the year and especially in the postseason. Stanton is allowing 30.3 points per game in the regional tourney and Exira-EHK has given up an average of 40 points per game. “The number one thing would be our defensive side. The last few games we’ve taken a little more pride in our defense. I didn’t feel like we carried out a game plan very consistently during the season, but I do feel that we’ve been doing that here as of late.”
Coach Petersen admits Stanton doesn’t have very many weak links. “We have to challenge all of their shots.” Petersen says, “You have to make sure that you identify and know the strengths of each player. You can’t allow a lot of second chance opportunities. They are very good at offensive rebounds.”
Exira-EHK was in the state semifinals last year. They’ve played in the state tournament five times since 2015. Stanton has been to state three times in their history–1921, 1922, and 1923.
Exira-EHK coach Tom Petersen:
