Area Basketball Recap – Jan. 17

By: Aaron Pyle

 

Raiders overthrow Trojans

            The Girard Lady Trojans defeated the Riverton Rams [1-6] in their previous matchup, Jan. 14, 51-28. Sophomore Faith Poland led the way for Girard finishing with 16 points. Following the victory, the Trojans went back to Ted R. Taylor Gymnasium for a rivalry matchup with CNC foe Frontenac [4-1].

Girard and Frontenac battled it out in the first half exchanging baskets on both sides of the ball. The Raiders pushed the lead to double-digits midway through the second quarter from the teams’ aggressive perimeter attack as well as their ability to create turnovers. Girard responded to the Raiders taking the double-digit lead by going on a 10-0 run to end the quarter. At halftime, the Lady Trojans trailed 30-27.

In the second half, the Raiders continued their dominance from the perimeter taking the double-digit lead back and never letting go of it as the Lady Trojans struggled to get a rhythm going offensively. Frontenac went on to beat Girard, 59-47.

Poland led the Lady Trojans in scoring for her second consecutive game finishing the night with 16 points. Junior Brooklyn Tallie just missed the double-digit mark finishing with nine points for Girard.

The Lady Trojans [3-4] look to bounce back from the loss in the annual Wilson County Classic held in Fredonia. In the first round of tournament play, Girard is set to face Bluestem [2-5] following the Girard boys’ game with tip-off approximately at 6:30.

On the boys’ side, the Trojans come off a tough 71-69 three-overtime thriller against Riverton [6-1], Jan. 14. Junior Rigby Born scored a season-high 27 points in the loss. In wake of the loss, the Trojans traveled back home to Girard to face the Frontenac Raiders [4-2] in a CNC showdown.

Both teams pushed the pace early on in the game showing no signs of slowing down. The Raiders had an advantage in height on the Trojans but Girard matched Frontenac with their speed and athleticism. Sophomore Quinn O’Rand provided a major spark for Girard scoring 12 points in the first half alone including a buzzer-beating three to go ahead 28-25 at halftime.

In the third quarter, the Trojans were red-hot from the perimeter pushing their lead to double-digits credited to the outside attack. The Raiders struggled to get anything going in the third while the Trojans couldn’t miss a shot. Headed into the fourth, the Trojans led by 11, 47-36.

Frontenac then went on a 10-0 run attacking the boards and executing second chance opportunities to get back within reach of the Trojans as two minutes remained. Momentum switched in favor of the Raiders following the run. With less than two minutes remaining, the Raiders took back the lead on a put-back layup to go up 54-53. Girard turned the ball over on the following drive forcing the Trojans to foul. Frontenac made both of the free throws giving the Trojans one last shot to tie it up as the Raiders led 56-53. Missing on the ensuing game-tying basket, the Raiders prevailed 56-53 over Girard.

O’Rand led the Trojans in scoring Friday night finishing with 19 points. Junior Rigby Born and sophomore Brahm Born ended their nights with ten points, respectively in the defeat.

Following the loss, the Trojans [2-5] are set to compete in the Wilson County Classic, Jan. 20, in a first-round matchup against Yates Center [5-4] with tip-off at five.

 

Indians clash against Panthers

            For the Lady Indians in their previous contest, Jan. 14, the team narrowly defeated the Marmaton Valley Wildcats 47-36 capturing the teams’ third-consecutive victory. Thursday, Jan. 16, St. Paul traveled to Pittsburg to face the St. Mary’s-Colgan Panthers [5-3].

St. Paul narrowly escaped St. Mary’s Colgan Fieldhouse defeating the Panthers 40-38 in an overtime thriller.

The Lady Indians [8-2] will look to continue their winning streak of four games in the Lancer Classic Monday at 5:30, Jan. 20, in the East Gym.

On the boys’ side, the Indians come off a dominant 64-16 victory over a winless Marmaton Valley [0-6], Jan. 14. Much like the Lady Indians, the boys’ team comes off their third-consecutive victory as well. Following the win, the Indians traveled to St. Mary’s Colgan to face the Panthers [2-6] in a non-conference showdown.

The matchup was a low-scoring affair on both sides of the ball with the Indians prevailing 26-22, marking the lowest-scoring game for the Indians this season.

Stats were unavailable following the matchups.

St. Paul [7-3] is set to play in the Lancer Classic Thursday, Jan. 23, in the East Gym against Baxter Springs [3-3].