Trojans control second half in 'Throwback' win over Noxon

It was a tale of two halves for the Troy Trojans on Saturday night. The Trojans got off to a fast start with a quick layup off the jump ball from Gage Tallmadge and went on to a 14-7 lead in a competitive first quarter. Noxon stormed back in the second quarter and pulled to within two, 24-22, at the half.

But a three-pointer that barely beat the buzzer going into halftime from Dillon Savage was a sign things were about to change.  Troy owned the second half on their way to a 64-38 victory.

After starting the second half with a turnover and committing a foul, things started to click for the Trojans. They stole a couple of inbounds passes from Noxon, resulting in some easy baskets.

First-year Troy head coach Jerry Mee said making baskets was key to turning the game around. “Noxon hit some shots in the first half and we made some shots in the second half. That allowed us to get into our press,” said Mee. The press affected Noxon’s flow in the second half.

That didn’t happen much in the first half because of steady scoring from Noxon guard Grant Fitchett and a couple big threes from Franklin Herschler. Fitchett had 17 points for Noxon.

High-scorer for the game, junior Sean Opland, who plays like, in his words, “a middle-linebacker on the court” scored a game-high 19 points in the contest.

Opland said the team was able to calm down at halftime and started playing their game. He said the team doesn’t have much height, but has lots of speed. He credited the team’s effort of playing with 110 percent as the reason for the victory.

Other contributors in the Trojan victory were Gage Tallmadge with 16 points and 10 rebounds, Brennan Olds with 10 points, Craig Helmrick and Adam Tallmadge pitched in with nine points apiece and Kolten Winebark and Dillon Savage had eight and nine points respectively.

Earlier in the week, the Trojans fell in their second game of the season at Plains on Dec. 19. Behind 18 team points in the third quarter, the Horsemen were able to pull away and earn the 44-30 win.

Gage Tallmadge provided some offense, 17 points, on a night when Troy had difficulty shooting the ball.

Brennan Olds put the ball in the hoop a few times for six points, Sean Opland had four, Adam Tallmadge added two and Craig Helmrick had one point.

Plains was led by Ryan Ovitt with 13 points.

Troy coach Jerry Mee said Plains and Bigfork are the teams to beat in the district, but he believes the Trojans can play with anybody.

Mee said his team has a strong work ethic and prides themselves on playing hard-nosed defense.

As for any predictions for the season, Mee is hesitant to prognosticate. “I have no idea, we’ll let it play itself out.”

The Trojans return to the hardwood on Jan. 2 in a tilt against Thompson Falls on the road.