Trojans win comfortably in opener

BY NICK CORN

Girard hosted Iola for their season opener in hopes of avenging their six-point loss to the Mustangs in last year’s first game. The Trojans did just that, and the game was never really in question. After seven fouls called in the first minute of the game, the referees made their presence known in what was a physical game from the start. That didn’t stop Girard from taking a 13-5 lead after the first quarter, led by junior Laike Damman’s five points along with four from junior Drew Davied.

A three by Davied gave the Trojans an 11-point lead early in the second, and after seven straight points from junior Junior Lindbloom, Girard held a 15-point lead. When it seemed the Trojans would put the game away before halftime, Iola ended the half on a 6-0 run to cut the deficit to 29-20 at the break.

In the third quarter, Girard used a balanced scoring attack to take a 47-26 lead into the fourth. Seven Trojans entered the scoring book in the quarter, and none scored over four points out of the 18 total. Iola tried fighting back into the game, but eight points from Damman held off the attack, and the Trojans took a 60-44 win.

Damman led the Trojans with with an impressive 20 point performance, and Lindbloom put in 13. Davied scored 11 for Girard. With the victory, Girard is 1-0 and will host Pittsburg on Tuesday, December 9.

Iola 44, Girard 60
1Q     2Q     3Q     4Q    Final
Iola           5        15       6       18      44
GHS          13      16       18     13     60

Girard: Damman 20, J. Lindbloom 13, Davied 11, Hamblin 6, Bailey 5, Green 3, D. Lindbloom 2

Three-Pointers: Damman 4, Davied 2, Lindbloom 1