Boys Basketball is continuing to win games in their championship bound season. Two weeks ago, they played two away games at American Leadership Academy schools: ALA Anthem South and ALA Ironwood. The Trojans took on ALA Anthem South on Wednesday, January 18th, and it was an easy victory with the boys coming out on top 89-22. Then on Saturday, January 21st, the Trojans played ALA Ironwood, a competitive regional opponent. The game actually came down to the wire and the Trojan boys came out with a victory 53-51. This was one of the closest games of the season and it was a crucial region matchup. We do not have official stats for the game, but Junior Luke Shaw has been lighting it up this season, averaging 26.4 points per game. Behind him is Sophomore Kyle Grier averaging 13.6 points per game and Junior Austin Wallace is averaging 12.3 points per game.
The next week the Trojans played Benjamin Franklin on Friday the 27th, which was another region game. Before the contest, Coach Haagsma was honored for being named the NFHS National Coach of the Year for 2021-2022. The game started fast, and the Trojans were able to hit a few early threes and built a 20-14 lead after the first quarter. The boys started to turn up the heat and jumped out to a 24-point lead, heading into halftime ahead 52-28. The Trojans continued to dominate Ben Franklin and were winning 76-42 at the end of the third quarter. The team did not take their foot off the gas pedal, and finished out the game strong, with a final score of 91-52. Luke Shaw continues to perform well and lead the way with 23 points, not even playing in the fourth quarter. Junior Grant Woods added 18 points and Kyle Grier chipped in 10.
On Tuesday, January 31st, the boys basketball, girls basketball, cheer, and the wrestling seniors were all honored before the boys varsity basketball game. After the ceremony, the boys played against San Tan Foothills, a region opponent. The game started fast, and from the start the Trojans dominated, jumping out to a massive 21-2 lead in the first quarter. The Trojans continued to overwhelm San Tan Foothills and were leading 47-12 after the second quarter. After a quick halftime speech, the boys went back to work and built upon their lead to 76-22. After a running clock in the fourth quarter, the Trojans held onto their comfortable lead and won 84-33. Luke Shaw went off again for 30 points in three quarters, Grant Woods had 12, Austin Wallace had 10, and Sophomore Noah Adkins had 9.
The Trojans are now 16-0 in regular season play and are proving why they are ranked #1 in 3A.
Come out and support the Trojans this Friday, the 3rd, as they head across town to take on rival Gilbert Christian, currently ranked 8th in 3A. We need a large crowd on Monday, January 6th, as the Trojans have a rematch of last year's 3A state title game against the 3rd ranked Coolidge Bears.
