Trojans place 2nd in Wilson County Classic
BY NICK CORN
After wins over Bluestem and Fredonia in the first two rounds of the Wilson County Classic, the Girard Trojans entered Friday night’s championship game rematch with Independence with a 10-0 record.
The face of defeat. Kross Hamblin looks on as the Trojans are given their first loss of the season. PHOTO BY JOYCE KOVACIC
Last year, Girard was handled by Independence, 55-18, and although margin of defeat wasn’t much different this year, the Trojans had a better performance in the 82-58 defeat. Laike Damman hit five threes Friday night on his way to a team-high 26 points, doing all he could to keep Girard close.
After one quarter, the Trojans trailed 20-12, and at halftime Independence pushed their lead to 34-23. Girard picked up their pace on offense, scoring 17 and 18 points in the third and fourth quarters, but the Bulldogs scored 25 and 23 points respectively, cruising to the 24-point win.
To go with Damman’s 26 points, Drew Davied added seven points, and Kross Hamblin added six. Damman and Davied also made the Wilson County Classic All-Tournament team.
Laike Damman and Drew Davied, after receiving their medals for making the Wilson County Classic All-Tournament team. PHOTO BY JOYCE KOVACIC
With the loss, the Trojans are now 10-1 on the season, and they will have two tough opponents on the road this week with Parsons on Tuesday and Labette County on Friday.
BOX SCORE
TROJANS 58, Independence 82
GHS 12 11 17 18 FINAL 58
INDY 20 14 25 23 82
GIRARD: Damman 26, Davied 7, Hamblin 6, Green 5, Wilson 5, J. Lindbloom 5, Baley 2, Frisbee 2
Three-pointers: Damman 5, Wilson 1