S.E. SALINE SQEAKS BY SMOKY VALLEY

     Approximately 22 miles is all that lies between Smoky Valley and Southeast of Saline. In terms of play, it came down to the free-throw stripe with the Trojans squeaking out a 55-51 victory in the opening round of the 2018 Sterling Invitational Tournament.
   Smoky Valley would take  an 8-2 lead early on, and ending the first quarter ahead 10-6. The largest lead gap of the game went to the Vikings  early in the second quarter taking a 13-6 lead. Southeast responded to close the half to tie the game 23-23.  
  The third quarter was just as tight as the first two, with 4 ties and three lead changes. Nick Reinert and Blake Heble were able to provide the  scoring for Smoky Valley. For the Trojans Hunter White continued to give the Viking defense trouble, scoring eight in the period.  After three quarters  the score was still knotted, 37-37
     In the fourth period, it continued to be a deadlock battle, with White of Southeast continuing to give the Smoky “D” a headache, assisted by Nick Montgomery with a large three down the stretch.
     Cole Brumbaugh kept the Vikings in the game with threes of his own in the fourth quarter. A one possession game in the final minute, the Vikings  had a chance to take the lead at the free throw stripe but  failed to convert giving the Trojans the victory 55-51.
     Smoky Valley will play Lyons tomorrow at 4pm while the Trojans will play Sterling on Thursday.