Trojans Finish Fourth In State

It may have not been the desired results but the Tri County Trojans took fourth at the state basketball tournament.The Tri County Trojans tournament run was not in vain, as successful as a season was, securing at least one win for the Trojans is the last feather in the cap for the 2023 season.In the first game of the tournament, the Trojans faced Doniphan-Trumbull on March 9. In the first half against the Cardinals, the game was as tight as it could get with Tri County falling behind 28-29 with signs of foul trouble playing a factor and figuring out to stop the three-pointers in the second half.Tri County found their answers playing smart, and playing solid defense as the third quarter was a low scoring affair as the teams were unable to get the lid off the basket as that quarter would have a total of seven points scored, two from Tri County and five from Doniphan-Trumbull, with the score 30-34.In the fourth quarter Tri County came alive on both ends of the court with some great offense to get back in the lead, then the defense and rebounding created even more offense for the Trojans.In what was four straight possessions that Tri County secured the rebound, found open men down the court for the fast-break points and extended the lead.Tri County iced the game and advanced on with the victory 56-41.Carter Siems had 30 points, 12 rebounds and four steals for Tri County.It would seem that unfortunately the Trojans used the majority of their offense in the first round because the semi-final against Amherst on March 10 was a struggle to find points.The hole started as Tri County found themselves down 0-10 by the end of the first quarter. A great defensive effort held their opponents to only three points in the second, but alas Tri County only scored six still down 6-13.Tri County would give a good fight, but the shots weren’t falling as the third quarter would score 6-9, and the fourth 7-14 as Tri County would lose 19-36.The last game of the season for Tri County was against Cedar Catholic on March 11.In this game the offense was there as was the defense, ready to go, but not enough of each as Tri County would fall behind in the first half, 11-14, in the first quarter, and then in the second scored 11-15 reaching the deficit of 22-29.In the second half Tri County was able to match their opponents 13-13, but were unable to mount the comeback needed as the fourth quarter ended 13-15 reaching the final 48-57.Tri County finishes the year fourth in Class C-2 State, runner-up in Pioneer Conference, Class C2-6 district final champions and 2023 MUDECAS Class A champions with a winning record of 24-6.

Renae Dewald

Ruth Clara Hummel (née Stevenson)

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