By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
With just five games remaining in the regular season, the Wamego and Chapman girl’s basketball teams will square off for the second time in league play in a rematch of an earlier 68-43 victory for the Lady Raiders.
Wamego comes into this contest ranked as the #1 team in Class 4A for the first time all year, and will be hungry to defend that ranking against a resurgent 8-7 Lady Irish team.
“Each day is an opportunity to get a little better and grow together as a team,” Lady Raider head coach Brian McIntosh said. “After watching the first game, I feel like we've improved in many areas, so that's a great sign. We will need to play a complete game tonight against a good league opponent.”
While the Irish have fallen in four of their last five games, Chapman has faced a murderer's row during that stretch, and this will be another big test for a team still in search of a season-defining win.
“My question is can we finish,” Chapman head coach Michael Wahlmeier said. “We’ve had some close games and we need to be able to come out on top. I want to see if we can ramp up the focus and intensity for these last few games.”
Despite winning this game comfortably the first time around thanks to a big first half, Wamego has afforded a lot of respect to the Lady Irish again this time around, and are prepared for a battle in the rematch.
“Chapman does a nice job of creating off the dribble and they are capable of getting out in transition,” McIntosh said. “Kirkpatrick is one of the top players in the league. She’s athletic, she can attack going both ways, finishes well, and is a terrific defender. She'll be someone that we pay close attention to tonight.”
Meanwhile, on the Lady Irish side of the matchup, Chapman knows just how close they were at the 16-minute mark of this game last year and will look to finish the job this time around.
“It’s a similar game to Southeast of Saline for us,” Wahlmeier said. “If we can slow them down and control the boards we have a decent chance. That first game was a one-point game at the half. We know the game is two halves and I’m excited to see us put a whole game together.”
Tip-off between the Lady Irish and Raiders is scheduled for 6:00 at Wamego High School with the boy’s game to follow at 7:30.
For continuing coverage of all four teams throughout the home stretch of the season and into the playoffs, stay tuned to the Salina and Little Apple Posts.