Libby to host hoops rematch Friday against rival Troy

Only two points separated the Libby Loggers’ (1-9) and Troy Trojans’ (4-6) first basketball contest this season. The equivalent of Troy’s margin of defeat — one of the dozen missed layups, two of the 11 missed free throws — could have transformed Ryan Huffman’s buzzer-beating three-pointer from an afterthought into a game-tying play.

A game full of missed chances by the Trojans helped Libby escape with a 47-45 road win on Jan. 4. A fourth-quarter comeback faltered at the finish line, and the home fans were left to wonder what could have been, had their boys made the easy shots. Questions surrounding the friendly rivalry will be settled Friday when the teams play at 7 p.m.

In the weeks since the Libby loss, Troy Coach Cory Andersen has focused his practices around fundamentals. Drills to improve ball-handling, free-throw shooting and finishing around the rim have paid immediate dividends, and the Trojans have won two games in a row.

“We didn’t play our best game in the first game,” Andersen said. “Last time I thought we struggled fundamentally in our offense. We’ve focused on getting back to the fundamentals, and the adjustments should help us out both offensively and on defense in preventing transition points.”

All-State guard Jared Winslow scored 27 points in the first meeting. The sharpshooter fueled Libby’s 21-7 second-quarter run with nine points. However, a swarming Trojan defense held Winslow scoreless the final 6:24 of the game as the home team stormed from behind.

“We need to be smart and know where he is at,” Andersen said of Winslow, Libby’s leading scorer. “We can do a better job of getting a hand up. With him, you just have to make it tough to get the points he is going to get.”

The Loggers come off one of their closest loses of the season, a 59-54 home loss to Thompson Falls on Jan. 24. The game was one of only a few this season where Collin Johnson, not Winslow, led the Loggers in scoring. Johnson’s 20 points likely caught the attention of Andersen.

Troy, too, counts an emerging scorer. Sophomore post Sean Opland, who scored three points in the first matchup, has displayed improved touch at the free-throw line and under the bucket. Opland’s ability to convert put-back attempts after offensive rebounds could make the difference in the game.  

“They present a challenge every time we play them,” Andersen said. “It should be a competitive game.”

Before the boys take the court, the Lady Loggers (3-8) will host the Lady Trojans (2-9) at 5:30 p.m. Libby dominated the first game of the season, winning 43-13.

The game was over in a matter of minutes as the Lady Logger’s full-court pressure completely stymied Troy’s attack. Libby claimed a 12-1 first-quarter lead and never looked back. The Lady Loggers’ pressure defense forced 31 turnovers on the road.

“The one thing we are really focusing on is dealing with the pressure defense they play,” Troy Coach Justin Young said. “Coach May always does a wonderful job of getting his girls to play hard, intense defense. It really pressed us in the full court. This is an opportunity to get better at handling pressure.”

Guard Devon Gallagher led the Lady Loggers with 12 points, 10 rebounds and four assists in the first game. Taylor Quinn and Dayln Germany each scored 11 in a balanced attack.

Libby Coach Jim May said his team has prepared for a couple of Lady Trojans.

“If we can limit Caitlin Johnston’s touches in the post, it will slow her scoring,” May said. “We have to keep Kellie Lundin uncomfortable and stop her from driving.”