The Raiders move onto the semi-finals of the Kansas 5A State basketball tournament with a 82-38 thrashing of Salina South. The 44 point victory was the largest margin of victory in the history of the Kansas 5A State tournament. Leading the way for the Raiders was junior Dainan Swoope with 18 points, and senior Jake Caldwell with 17 points. Salina came out fast getting up by three in the opening minutes, and the score was close for the beginning of the second quarter, with the Raiders only winning 14-12 with 5:22 left in the second half. But, with stifling defensive led by by junior Devin Newsome, the Raiders went on a 17-4 run to end the half leading 31-18 lead at half.

“The key to the game was our defensive pressure and fast pressure,” Newsome said. He totaled 11 points, 7 assists, and 3 steals.

The second half started with a 7-0 run for the Raiders. The team outscored Salina South 22-4 in the third quarter, making 11-13 from the field. The fourth quarter added to the lead for the Raiders as they cleared the bench and put the whole bench in. In the second half the team shot 19-22 from the the field. Today they will play Mill Valley in the state semi-finals, a game they won 59-38 earlier this year.

“We’ve got to come out from the gate stronger and play our normal and don’t get caught up in the hype,” Newsome said about tomorrow’s matchup.