Troy boys basketball enjoys best start since 2008

The question was being asked Saturday night following the Troy boys basketball team’s 49-33 win over visiting Plains.

When was the last time the Trojans started the season 2-0?

A records check indicates the 2008-09 season was when a Tony Smith-coached Troy team began the season 4-0. The wins included Valley Christian, Helena Christian’s junior varsity squad, Thompson Falls and Superior. Troy finished the season 12-10.

Second-year head coach Cody Orr would likely be pretty content with a season over .500. The Trojans haven’t finished at or over .500 since registering a 16-6 mark in the 2011-12 campaign.

“Absolutely,” was Orr’s response when asked if he thought the win over Plains signaled the Trojans a team to be taken seriously.

“Most of these kids have been playing together for three years and now we see them coming together as a team with confidence and discipline,” Orr said.

The Trojans opened the regular season Friday, Dec. 13 with a 64-35 win over Alberton.

Against the Horsemen, the Trojans led 7-0 before taking a 12-9 lead to the second quarter. The Trojans still led 16-11 midway through the second when Plains scored the next nine points to lead 20-16 at halftime.

But the Trojans dominated the third quarter, using a 15-3 run to take a 31-23 lead with 3:36 left. A Carson Orr drive, two free throws by Cody Todd and 3-pointer by Emerson Downey catapulted Troy into the lead with 5:19 left, 25-23.

Another drive to the basket by Orr and a putback by Kempton Sloan made it 31-23 with 3:36 left.

The Horsemen trimmed their deficit to three points, 34-31, with 1:28 left. Then Orr picked up his fourth foul with 37 seconds left on a charge while going to the basket.

If there was a time the Trojans might wither, this was it.

But a steal by Todd and a layup by Orr with 20 seconds left put Troy up 36-31 entering the fourth quarter.

Troy dominated the final eight minutes to pull away.

Another 3-pointer by Downey made it 39-31, leaving the home crowd jubilant. A long jumper by Sloan followed by a driving basket from Orr made it 43-31.

“The guys really stepped up when it got close,” coach Cody Orr said. “They’ve come a long ways.”

Troy’s defense kept Plains from scoring until just 1:28 remained. It was part of a seven-minute scoring drought for the Horsemen going back to the third quarter.

Baskets by Nolan Morris, Orr and Sloan capped the scoring and a 16-point win.

Orr led the Trojans with 18 points while Sloan scored 14. Todd scored seven, Downey had six and Morris four points.

The Trojans are back in action Friday, hosting St. Regis at the Activity Center. Saturday, they’ll host the Flathead Valley Crusaders.

    Troy's Kempton Sloan reacts after making a pass against the Plains Horsemen during a 49-33 win, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, at the Troy Activity Center. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
  

    Troy's Emerson Downey hit two big 3-pointers to help the Trojans beat the Plains Horsemen, 49-33, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, at the Troy Activity Center. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
  

    Troy's Nolan Morris plays defense against the Plains Horsemen in a 49-33 win, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, at the Troy Activity Center. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
  

    Troy's Cody Todd lines up a shot against the Plains Horsemen in a 49-33 win Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, at the Troy Activity Center. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)