Trojans take early lead, defeat Loggers

The Troy Trojans had a 12-point advantage at halftime over the visiting Libby Loggers but almost relinquished it as the Loggers fought their way back in the third quarter. The Trojans hung on and ended up beating the Loggers, 50-45.

The Trojans controlled the opening tip and ran an efficient offense in the opening quarter to take a 12-7 lead over the Loggers.

Libby coach Josh Bean said his team didn’t start the game like he would have liked.

“It’s important to get off to a good start to get in rhythm. We dug ourselves a hole in the first half,” he said.

Logger Collin Johnson hit a 3-pointer to pull Libby within two points at the 7:20 mark of the second quarter. The Trojans then went on a run by creating turnovers they converted into easy points to gain a comfortable lead.

With three minutes left in the half, Sean Opland was fouled and took a trip to the free- throw line. He sank both free throws to give Troy a 10-point lead. Towards the end of the half Opland struck again. The junior connected on a 3-pointer with thirteen seconds remaining to give the Trojans a 28-15 lead.

On Libby’s following possession Johnson was fouled and went one for two from the line. The teams went to the locker room with the Trojans holding a 28-16 advantage.

Both teams took a while to get going to start of the third, but when they did it was all Loggers. Jonny Cielak got the Loggers their first points from a couple free throw opportunities after three and a half minutes of scoreless play.

Later, Cielak nailed a three to cut the Troy lead to nine with just three minutes remaining in the quarter. Troy answered with a few buckets of their own.

Bean said, “The team had to fight their way back in the third quarter.”

With about a minute left in the third quarter, Cielak pulled up for a three and was fouled. The shot was good and Cielak went to the free-throw line for a chance at a four-point play. Cielak made the free throw to shrink the Troy lead to seven.

Troy didn’t score on their next possession, giving the Loggers an opportunity to take the last shot. The Loggers passed the ball around the top of the key and eventually found Michael Curtiss who beat the buzzer with a layup to cut the Trojans lead to 35-30.

“We got out to an early lead and Libby did a great job coming back. They played really good defense,” said Trojans coach Jerry Mee.

Both teams traded shots and layups in the fourth, playing with each other stride for stride. Opland made another three, but Cielak answered it on the next possession.

“We had to battle to win the game. We worked really hard and it was a good team effort,” Mee said.

The rivalry game will take on a different meaning in years to come with Libby transitioning to Class B Bean said. “It’s always an intense game because we are so close. It will become more intense because it will mean a little bit more in terms of post-season play,” he said.

Logger Jonny Cielak led all scorers with 20 points and Collin Johnson added 13 points.

Troy’s leading scorer was Sean Opland with 18 points, followed by Gage Tallmadge with 15.

Libby 7 9 14 15_45

Troy 12 16 7 15_50

Libby Loggers (45)

Jonny Cielak 20. Collin Johnson 13, Erik Lauer 6, Michael Curtiss 6.

Troy Trojans (50)

Craig Helmrick 6, Gage Tallmadge 15, Brennan Olds 4, Sean Opland 18, Mason Chapel, 1, Kolton Winebark 6.