The Lady Trojans took the trip up to Flagstaff to compete in the Pepsi Holiday Classic last weekend. The girls were good with a record of 2-2 in the tournament.
The first game they played was on Thursday at 2:30 against last year's state runner ups and the number one ranked team this year, the Show Low Cougars. The girls battled hard throughout the game but came up short, losing 54-40. Coach Sterling said, 'It was good for the girls to see what their competition is and to beat a team like that we cannot have mistakes." In that game Sophomore Ellie Phillips led in points for the Trojans, scoring 18.
The next morning the Trojans played an early game against the Arizona Lutheran Coyotes. Unfortunately they couldn't come out with a win in that one, losing 45-41. Once again, Sophomore Ellie Phillips was the leading scoring putting up 15 points.
Even though the Trojans started out 0-2 in the tournament they bounced back in a thrilling comeback style victory against the Coconino Panthers. After the first quarter the girls were down 24-4 and it was looking like their third loss of the tournament, but they turned it around. The Trojans came into the second quarter with a fire and some new motivation, only letting up 18 points in the rest of the game while scoring 46. Again, Sophomore Ellie Phillips was the leading scorer, putting up 27 points for the Trojans. They won that game 50-42 after their amazing comeback.
The Trojans, feeling good after their comeback win, took on the Kingman Academy Tigers next, dominating them 60-23. The Trojans looked alive after destroying the Tigers. Ellie Phillips led the Trojans once more with 19 points while Senior Bree Hanzal and Jacqui LaGatta scored 12 each.
The Pepsi Holiday Classic Tournament had many ups and downs for the Trojans, but they ended things in a good way. No surprise here, but Sophomore Ellie Phillips earned All-Tournament Team honors after averaging 20 points a game throughout the tournament. Senior Bree Hanzal shared, "It was a good learning point for our team and gave us confidence knowing we can compete with anyone."
