Southeast Boys Basketball Game Preview: Smoky Valley Vikings

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Connor Waltz

Trojans after defeating Hesston.

Eli Commerford

Coming off a statement win Friday night against Hesston, the Trojans are set to face their neighboring county rivals the Smoky Valley Vikings on Tuesday night.  Smoky Valley comes into this matchup as clear underdogs with hopes of an upset but the Trojans are sure to make it tough.

 

Southeast comes into this matchup against a perplexed Viking squad after an opening night 52-73 loss to the Abilene Cowboys. Smokey Valley never seemed to hold still with the Cowboys, shooting 43% from FG and 29% from 3PT. 

 

The Vikings will need to make major improvements from Friday night in order to stay the course against a bright Trojan team.

 

On the flip side, the Trojans are opposites after dethroning the Hesston Swathers of their #1 ranking in 3A. Battling all game long, it was a neck-and-neck clash but the Trojans pulled away as time began to run out.  A final score of 56-46 is sure to give the Trojans the momentum they need moving forward. 

 

Coming off the bench, Kayson Lilley led the Trojans, scoring 14 points accompanied by Nakari Morrical-Palmer with 13 points himself. Lilley looked electric from three making 4 out of 5 attempts, helping his case of being a potential starter moving forward. 

 

The Trojans and Vikings met twice last year with almost identical rosters resulting in two Trojan Victories.

 

Projected Southeast lineup:

(PG) Drake Augustine

(SG) Daniel Kejr*

(SF) Luke Gebhardt

(PF) Nakari Morrical-Palmer

(C)   Eli Sawyers

 

* Potential first switch for the Trojans after Kayson Lilley’s Friday night performance. 

 

Key Notes:

  • This matchup will look similar to last year as the Trojans come in with the same starting 5 as last year, as Smoky Valley loses only two players.
  • After one game played the Trojans seem to be the more physical team.
  • Trojans are coming off a confidence-boosting win as the Vikings are coming off a demoralizing loss
  • Kayson Lilley looks to stay hot after a breakout performance Friday night.
  • Both teams look to utilize bench players. 

 

Trojans tip off at home at 7:30 pm (CT) and can be listened to on KINA (910 AM, 107.5 FM).