Girard/St. Paul basketball recap – Dec. 13

By: Aaron Pyle

 

Trojans split series against Bulldogs  

         The Girard Trojans hosted the Galena Bulldogs Friday, Dec. 14 in the Trojans’ first CNC league matchup of the season. Girard High School also hosted the Kelly Short Fundraiser: silent auction, chili feed, and blackout game.

For the girls, the Lady Trojans come off a dominant 46-12 victory over Parsons, Dec. 6. In the matchup against Galena, both teams struggled to get a rhythm going offensively as the two sides combined for 20 points in the first quarter. Offensive production slowed down even more in the second quarter but the Lady Trojans stuck right with Galena as the two teams were tied at halftime, 17-17.

The Bulldogs slowly pulled away in the third quarter off their inside attack, dominating the paint. Headed into the fourth the Lady Trojans trailed by four, 34-30. Baskets came at a premium in the final quarter as defense reigned supreme in the CNC clash. Neither team scored in the final 1:30 as the Bulldogs claimed a 39-38 victory over the Lady Trojans.

Girard had only one player in double-digits, junior Brooklyn Tallie who finished her night with 11 points for Girard.

The Lady Trojans [1-1] will face Carl Junction for the next matchup, Dec. 16 in a ‘girls only’ game.

For the boys, the team comes off a 59-45 victory over Liberal [Mo] Dec. 10.

Opening the game, the Bulldogs established their offense early dominating the undersized Trojans in the paint and attacking the glass. Galena continued their dominance up until halftime as the Trojans trailed 34-19.

Senior Gabe Muia exited the game early in the second half from an apparent leg injury during a fastbreak. Junior Rigby Born stepped up for the Trojans helping the team go on a 21-11 run in the third to trim the lead to three points, 43-40.

Galena maintained their three-point lead for a majority of the final quarter until the closing seconds when Born struck again for the Trojans getting fouled at the rim for the potential game-winning free throws. Born then sank both free throw attempts as the Bulldogs missed the ensuing game-winner and the Trojans [2-1] prevailed 57-56.

Born led the game in scoring on both sides as the junior finished with 20 points in Friday’s victory.

The boys’ basketball team will take a small break before their next contest Tuesday, Jan. 7, in a home matchup against Labette County.

 

Titans sweep Indians

         In the final day of the St. Paul ‘Early Season Tournament,’ the Indians clashed with the Columbus Titans in a tournament championship double-header.

On the girls’ side, the offense of the Lady Indians was outscored by the Titans 24-11 in the first half as St. Paul struggled to find the basket. The closest the Lady Indians would get in the matchup was 11 points following the third quarter. Columbus maintained their double-digit lead up until the final whistle as the Titans prevailed 40-28 claiming the tournament title.

Senior Taylor Wiatrak led the Lady Indians [3-1] in scoring compiling 12 points in the loss.

For the boys, both teams came out of the gate letting it fly with their up-tempo style of play. The Indians held an advantage after the first but the Titans picked up the pace outscoring the Indians 22-11 in the second quarter to take a 38-28 lead at halftime. St. Paul trimmed the lead to just seven following the third quarter but the Titans defense remained composed holding the Indians to six points in the final quarter. Columbus went on to win 67-51 over St. Paul claiming their second tournament title.

Senior Kaleb Lemmons led the Indians [2-2] in scoring during Friday’s matchup finishing the night with 17 points of the Indians.

The Indians will travel to Uniontown Dec. 17 in a TRL contest with the Eagles.