Trojan seniors appreciate unwavering school spirit

All three seniors on the Trojan basketball team - Zack McDougall, Joseph Day and Matthew Rogers - used the same word to describe their fans in Troy: loud.

Senior Zack McDougall moved from Michigan to Troy his sophomore year, where he has played basketball the last three years for the Trojans.

He said he likes how close the community is and appreciates Troy fans.

"They're loud and supportive and they even go to the away-games," he said.

McDougall said the team has improved this season due to a lot of hard practicing, adding that his personal goal has been working on teamwork.

"We've been really hustling to get the team focused on what we need to do to play as a team," he said.

Day, who started playing basketball at age 16 when his brother, Jesse, a junior who plays for the Trojans, talked him into it.

"I wanted something to do to have fun and be a part of the team," he said, adding the good coaching and hard work has helped the team overall.

"He treats everyone real fair and knows the game," said Day, who advised the younger teammates to "work hard and don't quit no matter what."

McDougall mentioned Tony Smith's coaching was instrumental in their improvement this season.

"He gets us to play as a team. He tries to get us to play tough defense," he said, adding that coach John Bower has also helped him out a lot.

Rogers, born and raised in Libby, also commended Bower, noting it was the coaches pushing them through that improved the team and helped them to beat Noxon on the road when Smith was sick.

"Coach Bower did really well," said Rogers. "He also made sure the whole team participated."

Rogers said paying attention to the coaches was the best advice he could give to the younger players and the coaches.

"I like his style," said Rogers of Smith, noting his defense-oriented philosophy. "He's well respected."

Rogers added it's important to have senior leadership "to be there and help out."

"Play to have fun and play hard," McDougall advised the younger players.

All three seniors hope to attend college in the fall, with McDougall vying for the University of Montana to study Media Arts. Day wants to pursue a degree in architecture, while Rogers hopes to attend Montana State University in Bozeman to study electrical engineering.