The Trojan Basketball season has concluded for 2019. Both Men’s and Women’s teams were unsuccessful in securing wins in the first round of their region tournaments. The Men’s score was 95 to 86. The Women’s score was 84 to 49.
Due to tiebreakers, the Lady Trojans were the number-7 seed in the tournament. The Ladies traveled to USC Salkehatchie for the first round, a game that represented a tough draw for the Trojans. The Lady Trojans were unable to overcome the intense-pressure offense & defense; as a result, fell behind at the half by 15 points. The final score was 84 to 49, ending the third season for the Lady Trojans with a 9-15 record.
Also because of tiebreakers, the Men’s team, with a number-10 seed in the tournament, traveled to Davidson County Community College to play the Storm in the first round. The Men started off fairly strong, but halfway through the first half, they fell behind by 20 points. The Trojans implemented a zone defense that seemed to frustrate the Storm, allowing the Trojans to advance their score just before the half to 10 under. As the second half opened, The Trojans reinforced their zone defense, which continued to work its magic against Davidson County. But Davidson County countered by opening up transition offense, which advanced their score by more than 20 points. With just a minute left to play, the Trojans mounted an attack and cut the score to a six-point difference. A couple of turnovers late in the game resulted in a win for the Storm, with the final score 95 to 86. This ended the third season for the Trojans with a 14-15 record.
Trojan players from both Men’s and Women’s teams suffered injuries throughout the season. Their seasons began with great excitement, enthusiasm, and hope – strengths which carried the teams into the first rounds of region tournaments, as each team sought to re-create the magic enjoyed during the first postseason firs-round wins last year. With first-round wins out of reach for both Men’s and Women’s teams this season, the players celebrate the camaraderie, fun, and life lessons learned on the court, with a special salute to the Trojan sophomores who will graduate this spring.