By TYLER HENRY
Little Apple Post contributor
Following a statement 57-18 win over Buhler on Tuesday, the Rock Creek Girls basketball team will return home to host McPherson in the sub-state final on Friday, with a ticket to the state tournament on the line.
The Lady Mustangs come into this game ranked seventh in Class 4A while the Bullpups enter at 14-7, fresh off a 52-25 defeat of Mulvane in their semifinal.
Rock Creek did every bit as good of a job keeping points off the board on Tuesday as they did putting points on it, continuing to gain steam in the month of March.
“I thought our defense was fantastic,” Mustang head coach Adam Plummer said. “After giving up a basket on Buhler’s first possession, we only gave up four more points until we subbed to start the fourth quarter.”
Rock Creek will now turn their attention to the 6-seeded Bullpups, who have been playing their best basketball down the stretch.
McPherson bookended a three-game losing streak with an 8-2 start and a six-game win streak that they carry with them into this contest.
"McPherson has great balance on offense,” Plummer said. “They have many players that can score and they have a good combo of inside-outside scoring that defensively keeps you honest.”
The Bullpups have done an excellent job this season of utilizing their three-point shooting to stay in and ahead in games, something the Mustangs will have to limit on Friday.
“We have some individual tendencies that we will try to take away but overall it’s the team approach of getting them off the 3-point line without getting beat off the dribble,” he said. “Defending ball screens and the dribble weave will be key for us to keep them from getting to the paint or kicking it to a wide-open shooter.”
On the offensive end, Rock Creek will need to be better themselves from deep against a much better McPherson defense.
“We did not shoot the ball well from the perimeter against Buhler, so we are hopeful that is out of our system for McPherson,” Plummer said. “Offensively we have to be aggressive on every catch and make sure the ball keeps moving and doesn’t get stuck.”
While this matchup will be tough, the Mustangs know what’s on the line and should get a boost from their home crowd in an exciting sub-state championship game.
“Confidence is high, we know McPherson is a good team and that we will have to play well,” he said. “We are looking forward to the opportunity to play in front of our home crowd with the chance to punch a ticket to state on Friday.”
Tip-off between the Mustangs and Bullpups is set for 7 pm at Rock Creek High School and the winner will be headed to Salina for the state tournament next week.
For continuing coverage of both Rock Creek basketball teams at sub-state, stay tuned to the Little Apple Post.