On Tuesday, March 31, the Trojan basketball team took on the Harlan Cyclones for the second time this season. After a hard fought fight, Atlantic came on top 72-49, and defeated Harlan for the first time since 2013.

A slow start left both teams scoreless for over a minute. With a Harlan foul, Senior Garrett Franken was forced to shoot, and put up the first two points for the Trojans. Junior Grant Podhajsky followed with a three, putting the Trojans at five.

After the first, the Trojans led 16-11.

Franken opened the second with a basket, followed by a Harlan timeout. Atlantic led 20-11.

By halftime, the Trojans still led 41-21.

In just two quarters Franken was the highest scorer for the Trojans with 15, followed by Podhajsky with 10.

Both teams made baskets back and forth consistently in the beginning of the third. Junior Jaxson Eden ended the routine with a three pushing the Trojan lead to 54-30.

At the end of the quarter, Atlantic was ahead 60-34.

In the fourth, the Trojans went to the bench and was replaced with five different players as they led by 30 points.

The final score of the Hawkeye 10 rivalry was 72-49.

The Trojans advanced their record to 12-4.

Head coach Alan Jenkins said, “I thought that our guys showed good composure and patience at the offensive end. We had a relentless effort on defense that was the ultimate deciding factor. Grant (Podhajsky) and Chase (Mullenix) both stepped up on the big stage, it was fun to see. Both of those guys have been shooting extra after practice, and it shows.”

The team’s next game was last night, Feb. 2, against Kuemper.

Jenkins said, “Kuemper is a very talented team, ranked #2 in 2A. They are undefeated at home, and it will be our toughest test of the season.”