Ark Valley News - Both Valley teams on the road for substate

Both Valley teams on the road for substate
By Randy Fisher
Last Updated: March 03, 2015

Substate basketball assignments have been made by the KSHSAA and both Valley Center High School teams will be on the road.

Seeded seventh at 5-15, the boys will play in Substate No. 2 at 7 p.m. March 5 against the two seed, Salina Central (17-3).

"Salina Central is a very comparable team to Maize South," Valley coach John Wetig said of the No. 3 Mustangs. "They have a big inside and a shooter on their team as well. I think it's a team we match up with a little better. If we can get a little better contribution from our seniors, we'll give it a great shot."

The other half of the bracket pairs the three-seed Wichita Heights (16-4) at home to the six-seed Newton (8-12). The winner will play for the substate championship at 7 p.m. March 7 at the home of the higher seed.

In Substate No. 1, top-seeded Maize South (18-2) will host the eight seed, Great Bend (2-18). The four seed Salina South (10-10) will host the five seed Emporia (10-10) to complete the bracket. The winners will play at 7 p.m. March 7 at the home of the higher seed.

The girls will play their first-round game March 4. With a 9-11 record in Substate No. 1, Valley Center was the five seed and plays at Emporia, seeded fourth at 12-8. The winner of that game will play for the championship at 7 p.m. March 6. They would play either Salina Central, the top seed with a 14-6 record, or Salina South, the eight seed and 5-15. The game will be played at the home of the higher seed.

"Emporia is a well-balanced team. They have a nice mix of size inside and skill on the perimeter," Valley coach Daniel Smith said. "It will be a tough match-up for us on the road. My hope is that we show up focused, and compete as hard as possible and see what happens from there."

Substate No. 2 includes seconded-seeded Wichita Heights (12-8) against the seven seed Maize South (7-13) and the three seed Newton (7-13) and the six seed Great Bend (8-12). Those two games were also played March 4, with the championship game scheduled for March 6 at the home of the higher seed.

The Class 5A state basketball tournament is March 11 through 14 in Topeka.