By Vern Hee

Trojans basketball season continues with both girls and boys going into action for three games this week.

The Trojans boys team traveled to Western on Tuesday, past deadline. Western boys were 1-14 and 0-1 in league going into the game.

Troy then moves against the Mojave Rattlers and the Cheyenne Desert Shields. Mojave is 10-6 overall and 1-0 in league, while Cheyenne is 6-5 overall and 1-0 in league.

The boys improved to 3-12 over the winter break at the Mountain View Invitational. They went 2-4, beating Adelson School, 38-29 and a team from Utah, Abundant Life, 62-37.

Brian Hayes, head boys coach, has already improved on his record by winning two more games than he won last year. He feels the team still has to work harder if they want to make the playoffs this year.

“We played well in the Saturday game, after not playing well Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The difference was that on Saturday our kids played with some confidence. Although our win on Friday was sloppy and against a lesser opponent , it was still a win, and winning instills confidence. The kids came out Saturday and played with confidence, and played within our system. We got back to playing solid defense, rebounded the basketball, got out in transition, and made shots. It was only the second game all year where we shot over 40%,” said coach.

Hayes said his team has six game goals for each game: 1 Keep turnovers to 15 or less, 2 Keep opponents to 40% or less FG, 3 Limit 2nd chance points to 8 or less, 4 Win in transition, 5 Make 40% FG, and 6 Make 66% FT. He said last Saturday his team reached 5 of the 6 goals.

The hard working Trojans now have to win some league games. Last year the Trojans’ only league win game against Western.

“As for our league games this week, we need to pick up the win at Western. Our team goal is to win 4 league games or make the playoffs, so this win is a near must. We don’t plan on doing anything differently. We just need to focus on our game goals and if we meet our goals we will win games,” remarked Hayes.

The Lady Trojans also took two from the same tourney prior to the winter break.

They also played Western Warriors. Going into the game the Warriors were 6-11 overall and 1-0 in league. Mojave is 1-9 and 0-1 in league, and Cheyenne is 1-10 and 0-1 in league play.

The action starts at home on Thursday and Friday for the girls at 5 p.m. and around 6:30 p.m. for the boys.