Trojans, Lions split rematch

By: Aaron Pyle 

         For the Girard Lady Trojans, the team comes off a 70-64 loss in overtime to the CNC leading Frontenac Raiders (17-2). After the loss, the Lady Trojans traveled to Baxter Springs, Feb. 21, to face the Lions (10-11) in a rematch from Jan. 28. In the previous meeting, the Lady Trojans handled the Lions 47-33. 

         Both sides came out of the gate cold turning the ball over as the full-court pressure became applied early on. Girard was able to keep the lead with their inside attack, knocking down free throws as well. 

         Containing Baxter in the paint, the Lady Trojans pushed the lead further as the Lions struggled to execute offensively. The inside tandem of sophomores Faith Poland and Olivia Cullen found looks within the paint helping Girard retain the lead. Turnovers halted the Lions from making a comeback. At halftime, Girard led Baxter Springs 21-15. 

         Baxter would go on a 5-0 run to cut the Lady Trojans lead early in the second half. Junior Makaila Ausemus helped Girard stay ahead in the third quarter sinking shots from the perimeter. Within three-quarters of play, the Lady Trojans had nine players in the scoring column. 

         Turnovers continued to withhold the Lions from making a comeback attempt as the Lady Trojans lead grew to double-digits midway through the fourth. Freshman Lyllian Howard would get hot within the paint for Girard as her and the depth of the Lady Trojans helped the team pull away. Girard defeated Baxter Springs 61-51 sweeping the season series. 

         Poland and Ausemus led the Lady Trojans in scoring Friday night finishing the game with nine points, respectively. Howard’s inside efforts helped the freshman finish the contest scoring eight points. 

         Thursday, Feb. 27, the Lady Trojans close out the regular season against the Uniontown Eagles (14-3) for their annual senior night. 

         For the boys, Girard visited Baxter Springs to face the Lions (10-8) in a rematch from Jan. 28 where the Trojans fell 59-42. The team looked to avenge their previous loss from Tuesday, Feb. 18 against the Frontenac Raiders (15-4).

         Attacking the paint early in the first and a cold offense from the Trojans helped the Lions pull ahead 15-0 before Girard’s first basket. Junior Rigby Born helped give Girard a boost scoring all six points for the team in the quarter. 

         The outside attack of R. Born and sophomore Brecken Troike helped pull the Trojans within reach of Baxter Springs. Going on a 17-4 run in the second quarter, the Trojans tied the game up 23-23 at halftime. 

         Baxter tipped off the second half able to get going from range sinking three-pointers. But the Trojans stayed within reach as R. Born remained hot from deep. Nailing a three at the buzzer Born cut the lead to four points, 40-36. 

         The Lions then began to push the ball in transition off Trojan turnovers as the zone defense of Baxter caused problems for Girard’s offense. Remaining consistent from deep, the Lions pushed the lead further pushing it back to double-digits once again with their all-around offensive attack. Baxter Springs defeated Girard 57-44.

         Rigby Born led the Trojans in scoring finishing with 19 points. Junior Logan Thomas ended the game finishing with ten points. 

         Following the loss, the Trojans (7-11) return home to Ted R. Taylor Gymnasium for a non-conference matchup against the Uniontown Eagles (12-5).