(Elk Horn) Exira-EHK is trying to reach their 7th girls state basketball tournament in the past nine years. Standing in their way is 4th ranked St. Mary’s, Remsen.
The 19-4 Spartans are scheduled to face the 22-1 Hawks in a Class 1A Regional Final on Wednesday. The game will air on KSOM. The only loss all season for St. Mary’s,
Remsen is against Class 3A #12 Unity Christian. They’ve won 14 straight contests. “They look really, really tough to be honest. They’ve got balance all the way up and down their lineup. Four different girls are basically averaging double digits. With that type of balance it makes it difficult just to focus on one or two players. Obviously we have our work cut out for us, but that’s to be expected at this time of year.” Exira-EHK coach Tom Petersen says,” We have to make sure we are ready to rock and we’ll let the cards go where they may.”
The Spartans are participating in their 4th straight regional final despite the fact they were heavily impacted by graduation last year. “I think the kids have bought into it. It’s just kids playing for each other. Trying to get kids to understand that is very difficult. They try to lay things on the line for each other rather than worrying about what their stats might be or what accolades they might get. That’s kind of been the foundation of our success. The kids for the most part always play for each other. When you’re willing to do that usually good things are going to happen.”
Coach Petersen says his team will need to limit dribble penetration and do a better job of finishing possessions.
St. Mary’s, Remsen coach Scott Willman:
Exira-EHK coach Tom Petersen:
