Troy girls basketball shows improvement in 1-1 start

The Troy Lady Trojans basketball team began the 2024-25 season 1-1, splitting games last weekend.

Friday, Dec. 13, Troy rolled to a 76-40 win over Alberton. Saturday, they battled in defeat, 52-36, to Plains.

Despite the loss to the Trotters, first-year head coach Steve Morris thought the Plains game showed the improvement the Lady Trojans made from last year.

“I’d argue we played better against a better opponent in Plains,” Morris said. We certainly gave ‘em more of a game than last year.”

Indeed.

In three contests last season, Plains beat Troy by an average of 29.3 points per game.

The Lady Trojans led 5-2 midway through the first quarter on the heels of a 3-pointer by Addy Fisher and a layup by Kylie Cole.

While Plains took control at the end of the quarter with a 17-10 lead, Troy cut the deficit to three points before the Trotters took a nine-point, 26-17, lead at the half.

Plains took its largest lead at the end of three quarters, 44-25, but Troy wasn’t ready to quit.

The Lady Trojans used a 9-0 run in the first few minutes to make it 44-34 with 5:57 left following a steal by Leslie Gravier, who was fouled. She hit one of two shots from the line.

Free throw shooting was an issue for Troy as the Lady Trojans missed nine attempts in the first half and seven in the second half.

Plains regrouped to score eight of the final 10 points for a 16-point win.

Addy Fisher led Troy with 10 points while Jellesed scored eight and Cole added six. Autumn Fisher and eighth-grade student Aspen Orr each scored four points.

In the Alberton game, the outcome was never in doubt as the Lady Trojans led from the start. Addy Fisher led the way with 15 points. Olivia Hall scored 12, Cole scored 10 and Gravier added nine. Brooklyn Reid and Orr each scored seven points.

“These girls have been through a lot of coaching changes in a short time, but they keep coming out, so you know they love to play,” Morris said.

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

    Troy's Kylie Cole defends Plains Trotters player Trystan Larsen Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, at the Troy Activity Center. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
  

    Troy's Kirsti Jellesed looks upcourt against Plains Trotters Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, at the Troy Activity Center. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)