(Elk Horn) Exira-EHK’s regional final opponent is battle tested St. Albert. The Spartans and Saintes vie on Wednesday for a spot in the Class 1A girls state basketball tournament.
We’ll have the game on KSOM as game two of a doubleheader in Harlan following AHSTW vs Logan-Magnolia. Exira-EHK coach Tom Petersen takes a look at St. Albert. “They are tough all around. They’ve got athletes galore. It’s going to be our toughest test so far and it should be. You go from 32 teams down to 16 and I think they want the best 16 teams playing on Wednesday. I think they’ve got it right.”
St. Albert has a D-1 volleyball commit with Allie Petry and a D-1 soccer prospect in Makenna Shepard. Petrey leads the team in scoring at and rebounding at 17.5 point and 7.5 rebounds per game. Bel Pershing and Jordyn Blaha each carry double figure scoring averages. The Saintes had lost 8/9 games heading into the postseason, but are unedefeated against Class 1A teams, have two wins against Class 2A opponents, and have defeated five Class 3A teams this season.
St. Albert coach Dick Wettegenel on Exira-EHK. “Being fairly young I’m really impressed with the way that they play. They try to change up defenses a lot. They try to change some schemes and get out and press and pressure you. I think one of the big keys there is we are going to have to recognize what they are doing and just really do a good job of taking care of the ball and getting good shots.
Exira-EHK is trying to get to state for the 5th time in six years. St. Albert hasn’t been in the state tourney since 2000.
Exira-EHK coach Tom Petersen:
St. Albert coach Dick Wettengel:
