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Troy, Kansas

Senior Night, Part 2

Entering Monday night, the pomp and circumstance of senior night had already taken place a couple weeks prior, but Monday truly was the final time three seniors would walk onto the floor at Troy High School. The fourth seeded Lady Trojans played host to the five seed, Gossel Bluebirds, in the 1A Division 1 Sub-State semifinals. 

Coming into the game Troy averaged just over fifty points per game with their highest scoring output coming back in early January of 75 points. On Monday night, something was different. This team hadn't played a game since February 20th, when they knocked off Horton to claim their second straight Northeast Kansas League title. With that long of a layoff, one might think they could come out flat......but nothing could be further from the truth. 

Coach Derek Jasper had his girls firing on all cylinders from the jump, turning defensive steals into easy baskets and burying shots from the perimeter, you knew it was going to be their night. With a dominant first quarter the Lady Trojans led 31-12 heading into the second quarter, nearly re-breaking the record they aet earlier in the year of 34 points scored in the opening frame. They continued that dominance to close out the first half, leading 56-21 at the break, exceeding their per game scoring average in the first half. The Lady Trojans poured in eight triples in the first half, led by Senior Nicole Judd who had five. Although there was a break in the action, these girls weren't done yet. 

Troy kept their foot on the gas pedal in the third, outscoring Gossel 25-7 in the stanza to extend their lead out to 81-28 heading to the final quarter. To begin the fourth, the starting five remained in the game, but not for long. Coach Jasper would immediately pull Junior Hayley Williams and Sophomore Hailey Groff with a loud cheer coming from the capacity crowd. Then, the very next time the ball was put into play by the Bluebirds, a whistle blew to stop the game as Senior Harper Whetstine was called for her second foul. This foul, came as a request from the Troy bench.

The stoppage allowed Coach Jasper to individually sub out Whetstine, Senior Alyson Grable, and Judd. Each one kissing their hand, bending down to slap the Trojan logo at center court and jog to the sideline one final time to the roar of the crowd. A special moment for a special group of three seniors. 

With a running clock throughout the fourth quarter, Troy would close out a special night defeating Gossel 91-37, their highest scoring output in recent memory.  They turn their focus now to top seeded Wabaunsee in the 1AD1 Sub-State title game on Saturday in Clyde, where this group of seniors have a chance to make more history. Back to back state tournament appearances. 

Troy top scoring leaders - 

Whetstine - 21, Grable - 20, Groff - 17, Judd - 15, Luedke - 10