by Blake Meneely
Tonight the (16-3) Atlantic Trojans are traveling to play the (9-9) Creston Panthers for the second time this season. The first time the two teams met, on Jan. 10., the Trojans came out victorious (55-51) in Atlantic.
The Trojans beat the Denison Monarchs Feb. 7, the same night the Panthers pulled off a spectacular overtime win against the Clarinda Cardinals. The Panthers’ victory moves Atlantic up to first in the Hawkeye 10 conference. Tonight will be the Trojans’ last conference game.
The competition for the conference title has been complicated this season. On Feb. 7, Creston’s upset of Clarinda in overtime(54-52), and Harlan’s win over Lewis Central (62-58), leaves the top of the Hawkeye 10 race in a dead heap.
If the Trojans win tonight they clinch the conference title.
If the Trojans lose tonight to the Panthers, and both Harlan and Clarinda win, four teams (Atlantic, Creston, Harlan, and Clarinda) will be tied with three losses in the conference. Harlan heads to Red Oak and Clarinda travels to Lewis Central.