By TYLER HENRY
Little Apple Post contributor
The Abilene and Rock Creek boys basketball teams will meet in the 4A sub-state championship game on Saturday to wrap up a wild 2022 sub-state tournament.
These teams took different routes to get here with the Cowboys defeating Augusta soundly in the semifinal 53-31 while the Mustangs pulled out a shocking upset of Concordia 61-60.
“We battled well for the boards inside which had been a focus for us,” Rock Creek head coach Jim Johnston said. “I was really pleased with how we went after loose balls and defensively we stuck to our gameplan of doubling Concordia’s bigs and recovering on our rotations.”
Rock Creek will have their work cut out for them against an Abilene team that pounded the Mustangs 68-27 back in December.
“It was our press that worked for us that night,” Cowboy head coach Erik Graefe said. “Early on it was a close game but we got some steals and hit some threes and the wheels kind of came off for Rock Creek.”
The Mustangs have worked with an incredibly young roster this season, and the rendition of the team that will play tonight is nothing like the one that lost by 41 to Abilene earlier this season.
“We’ve grown a lot and we’ve cut down on our turnovers,” Johnston said. “When something bad happens we go to the next play instead of hanging our heads. Offensively we know where our shots are coming from and we’re moving the ball a lot better and defensively we’re moving much more quickly.”
That growth has been recognized by Abilene as well, who are expecting a much tougher fight against a battle-hardened Mustang team.
“Rock Creek is playing fearlessly,” Graefe said. “they trust each other, spread it well, and take their shots with confidence. Coach Johnston is the man, I can’t say enough good things about what he’s done and I knew we were lucky to play them early because they didn’t have a lot of experience and we knew they’d be formidable by the end of the season.”
For the Mustangs, slowing down Kaleb Becker will be a huge key in this game. The Senior star has given opposing defenses fits this season and was critical in Abilene’s earlier win over Rock Creek this year.
“Becker is a very good player and he’s long and athletic,” Johnston said. “We have to control him and we have to know where their shooters are and make sure we get back on defense. We’ll have to make their shooters put it on the floor and we’ll have to help in the paint.”
As for Abilene, the Cowboys hope they can continue to find buckets in transition, pressuring Rock Creek again in front of a big home crowd.
“It means everything to play this game on our home floor,” Graefe said. “Our band is incredible and our guys thrive on the atmosphere and tradition inside that building. We play up-tempo and with a lot of pressure and that home crowd is invaluable in that.”
Tip-off between Abilene and Rock Creek is set for 6 pm this evening at Abilene High School.
For continuing coverage of both teams at sub-state and beyond stay tuned to the Salina and Little Apple Post.