Trojans keep eyes on Eureka after weekend losses
Troy senior Trevor Hoagland lines up a three-point shot during the first quarter against Bigfork Saturday. (Ben Kibbey/The Western News)
The Troy High School boys basketball team had a rough final home game, facing one of the top teams in the state during their 75-15 loss to Bigfork Saturday.
Despite some well-placed shots by senior Trevor Hoagland, Bigfork mostly had the Trojans on lockdown, denying them a single basket in the final quarter.
“Early on, I think just the cold shooting and the turnovers — the momentum really got to us when we weren’t able to knock down some shots, and just making lazy passes,” said Troy Head Coach Justin Young.
Yet, only the night before the Trojans had come off a tight, 63-60 loss at Charlo.
“Our boys were hot last night with their shooting, and tonight it was just the opposite story,” Young said.
As tough as the Trojans are, Young said that some of the emotion of playing their final home game of the season didn’t help when it came time for the players to have their heads in the game.
Young said that as close as the Charlo game was, it could have easily been a win. The Trojans let a run get by from Charlo in the fourth quarter, which lost them the lead.
“It was probably the best offense I’ve seen us run all season — both man and zone,” Young said.
But with those games behind them, the Trojans have the decisive showdown this weekend, when they travel to Eureka.
“The boys have known the Eureka game is kind of the big one,” Young said. “We win, we go to divisionals. We lose, we’re in the play-in game.”
The Trojans know it’s all-in this Saturday, he said.
“Leave everything on the court in Eureka, and just enjoy the ride,” Young said.
The Trojans play at 5 p.m. at Eureka Saturday.
Saturday, Feb. 2
Bigfork 75 , Troy 15
B: 23 20 19 13 - 75
T: 7 5 3 0 - 15
Troy: Cy Winslow 3 points; Trevor Hoagland 8 points, 1-3 FT; Alex Freund 2 points; Dylan Cummings 2 points, 2-2 FT.