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Trojans struggle with CPU in girl/boy double header

STC’s Neena Lasley goes up for a basket on Saturday, January 18 against Center Point Urbana. News Herald Photo/Allison Graham

After winter weather forced yet another Friday night basketball game postponement, the STC Trojans loaded a school bus on Saturday afternoon and headed east. The Trojan girls and boys basketball team traveled to Center Point Urbana on Saturday, January 18 for a rare WaMaC conference varsity girl/boy double header.

First to take the court were the girls. The Trojans quite literally had a tall order ahead of them. The girls Stormin’ Pointers team is ranked third in Class 3A with a 14-0 record. Not only are the Pointers undefeated but they went into the night with a significant size advantage over the Trojans. Three from CPU’s team are close to 6’0. The Pointers are also home to Adrianna Katcher. Katcher is a three time Class 3A Cross Country champ. She also has been committed to small D1 school, Southern Illinois since her sophomore year.

The first meeting between the two teams was in December. CPU won 55-13. Saturday’s matchup saw the Pointers make improvements and the Trojans fall behind. The final score of the contest was 72-9.

STC has faced many challenges this season including starting out with a smaller roster than in years past. Injuries have also plagued the team. Makayla Backen suffered a season ending injury before the holidays. Shelby Slaven was injured in a game last week and was unable to play Saturday evening.

All of the set backs have surely affected the Trojans spirit. They have five games remaining in the regular season.

STC’s Sonny DeMarce fights for a rebound on Saturday, January 18. The Trojans played Center Point Urbana. News Herald Photo/Allison Graham

Following the girls loss, the STC and CPU boys took the court. The STC boys fell to CPU 50-31 in December. Saturday’s contest proved the Pointers have vastly improved throughout the season.

The CPU defense held STC to just four points in the first half while scoring 45 points. The Trojans have been without 6’7 junior Eli Keahna since before the holidays. His height and skills have been missed on the court.

Keahna came off the bench in the third quarter and began to make a difference for the Trojans on offense. He finished the night with eight points.

This is the second season in a row the Trojans have not seen a win. They have seven games left in the season. They will be on the road to Benton tonight, Friday, January 31.