The boys basketball team got the chance to play at Wells Fargo Arena on Saturday, Feb. 1. In an afternoon contest, the Trojans took on the Des Moines Lincoln Railsplitters for the second straight season. 

The Trojan boys were 6-7 at the time of play, and the Railsplitters were 9-4. Atlantic was coming off a four-point loss to Kuemper Catholic, putting them in the middle of the Hawkeye 10 pack. Lincoln had lost to Ottumwa a night earlier, 65-45.

Sophomore Dayton Templeton, juniors Grant Sturm and Craig Alan Becker, and seniors Bradley Dennis and Nile Petersen started for Atlantic. This was Dennis’ first varsity start.

In the first quarter, the Trojans came out hot, splashing in 13 points. They held the lead heading into the second, 13-9. However, Lincoln found their footing and limited Atlantic to seven points. At the half, the Trojans were down 28-20.

At the start of the third quarter, Atlantic struggled to disrupt the Railsplitters’ rhythm. They tacked on seven more points to their total, but watched Lincoln cushion their lead. Going into the final eight minutes, the Trojans were behind 46-27. Atlantic put up 16 points in the final frame, but was unable to get back into the game. The Trojans lost to the Railsplitters, 72-43.

Dennis and Becker led Atlantic with 11 points apiece. Defensively, Petersen grabbed 12 boards on Saturday night. The senior was also credited with two blocks.

As a team, the Trojans had 32 rebounds against Des Moines Lincoln.

Next up for the boys’ team is a conference clash with Red Oak on Tuesday, Feb. 4.