Girard hosts Columbus for Homecoming

By Camden McFarland

camden@hometowngirard.com

For Homecoming, the Girard Trojans’ girls and boys basketball teams moved their overall records to 9-5 and 10-4, respectively, during an exciting night against the Columbus Titans.

During the girls’ game, Girard played very aggressive on both sides of the ball, but unfortunately many of their shots failed to fall in.

In the first quarter, the Lady Trojans put up an impressive 21 points while holding Columbus to 14, but this seven-point lead was short-lived.

Columbus caught Girard off guard in the second quarter and scored 21 additional points, but the Lady Trojans still scored 15 to keep a one-point lead.

After halftime, the Lady Trojans struggled to pick their aggression back up.

The Titans outscored Girard 17-12 in the third quarter, stealing the lead with a score of 52-48.

Girard finally began to find a rhythm again in the fourth quarter and put themselves back into position to take the victory.

As the clock winded down, Columbus held the lead with a score of 64-62, but Girard’s Sydnee Crain sent the game into overtime after scoring right before the buzzer.

Now in overtime, each team direly needed to finish their shots. Girard and Columbus both scored two points, but once the Lady Trojans gained possession back it became a stalling game.

After running time off the clock, Girard moved in for the victory shot but failed to complete it, which sent the game into double overtime.

Girard never stopped battling in double overtime, but shots would not fall. The Titans finally claimed the 71-70 victory after the Lady Trojans missed a victory shot with seconds left.

This loss moved the Lady Trojans’ league record to 2-1.

Girard’s Crain led the team’s offense throughout the night with 29 solo points.

On the boys’ side, Girard encountered solid opposition at times but their relentless grind always kept them one step ahead of the Titans.

In the first quarter, Girard established a small lead by scoring 15 and holding Columbus to 10. In addition, the Trojans’ Caleb Muia clearly made his presence known by throwing down his first dunk of the night.

Columbus fired back with 16 points in the second quarter, but Girard enhanced their lead even further with 17 points to bring the score to 35-26.

Apparently not satisfied with their first-half performance, Girard kicked the intensity up several notches in the third quarter and left Columbus in their dust after scoring 25 more points and allowing only eight.

The fourth quarter was smooth-sailing for the Trojans, as they finished the game off by scoring 11 more points and holding Columbus to eight.

With a final score of 68-43, this victory pushed the Trojans’ league record to 3-0.

Unsurprisingly, Muia led the Trojans’ offense in scoring with 25 individual points­­­­­ and finished with two dunks.

Tuesday, Feb. 6, Girard’s teams will be on the road in hopes of improving their records against the Southeast Lancers.