The Salina Central Lady Mustangs had no problems disposing of the Junction City Bluejays Tuesday night at the Brickhouse, 66-38.

Junction City scored the first basket of the contest, but the Mustangs countered with a 14-2 run to pull away early. Salina Central led 16-6 at the end of the first quarter.

In the second session, Senior Elisa Backes was nearly unstoppable. The 6’0” forward put on a dazzling display of scoring, rebounding, and ball handling en route to a 17 point first half. The Mustangs led 32-16 at the break.

Junction City increased the tempo in the second half with a full court press. Central had their highest scoring period of the contest in the third, outscoring the Jays 20-12. With most of their points coming in the paint, the Mustangs took command entering the fourth with a 52-28 advantage.

Backes led all scorers with a career high 28 points. Sophomore Peyton Griffin had six points, and dished out nine assists.

Salina Central hits the floor again on Friday at Hutch. Pregame starts at 5:45pm on 1150 KSAL.

https://soundcloud.com/user-988730020/central-junction-city-12-5-17

SALINA CENTRAL BOYS 55, JUNCTION CITY 33

The Salina Central boys won an old fashioned slugfest 55-33, over Junction City Tuesday night.

After an 11-6 first quarter lead, the Mustangs held Junction City without a point for the first 6:30 of the second stanza. Salina Central ballooned their lead to 22-8 in the closing minutes of the first half, and led 25-9 at intermission.

Senior Ethan Speer did it all for the Mustangs. He finished with 16 points, a slew of rebounds, and took two charges for the night. With guard Harper Williams picking up his second foul early in the second quarter, the Mustangs got a huge lift from their bench. Sixth man David Grammer finished with seven points.

Junction City played even with Central in the third quarter, with the Mustangs leading 41-25 after three. In the fourth frame, the Mustangs controlled the tempo and held off an athletic Bluejays club, outscoring them 14-8 in the final eight minutes.

Salina Central travels to Hutch Friday for a 7:30pm tipoff on 1150 KSAL.

By James Westling

https://soundcloud.com/user-810264961/central-junction-city-12-5-17