Salisbury Faces Hartville in Class 2 Semifinals

The Salisbury Panthers will look to move one step closer to their first basketball state title in ten years when they face fourth-ranked Hartville Friday in a Class 2 Semifinal in Springfield. The Panthers will play with heavy hearts following the death of teammate London White earlier this week. Coach Kenny Wyatt says this will be a test of the team’s bond.

The Panthers enter the game ranked fifth in Class 2 with a record of 27-3. They will face a Hartville squad that has won district titles in ten of the last eleven years. That includes a state title in Class 3 in 2021. Wyatt says Hartville poses an interesting matchup for them.

The Eagles enter the semifinal with a record of 25-5. They’re coming off a 57-43 win in the quarterfinal round against Marionville. This year’s Hartville team features no returners from the 2021 state championship team. Coach Brett Reed says the players strive to keep the winning tradition going.

Reed adds there’s one particular thing his team will need to do to slow down Salisbury.

Coverage of the game can be found on 99.9 The Captain and centralmoinfo.com with pregame scheduled for 3:45 pm. Colin Schowe and Steven Findley Jr. will have the call.