Trojan basketball took on Denison-Schleswig on Friday, Feb. 7. The game was part of the Coaches vs. Cancer fundraiser, with paper basketballs being sold and hung up the week before the game. Students also collected money for the organization in between the girls’ and boys’ games. To top it all off, seniors from the girls’ and boys’ basketball teams, as well as the archery squad, were honored for their participation in their respective activity.

Corri Pelzer, Kenzie Waters, Nile Petersen, Tyler Moen, Cyle Renaud, Spencer Ray, and Bradley Dennis were the Trojan basketball players honored on Senior Night.

On the girls’ side of the doubleheader, Atlantic was looking to end their four-game skid. The Trojans were 8-11, while Denison-Schleswig was 10-8. The Monarchs had won two straight games, topping each of their previous opponents by a decent margin. The two squads brawled on Thursday, Dec. 19 in Denison. Atlantic played close, but lost to the Monarchs 49-43. Looking to even their record against Denison-Schleswig, the girls took the court.

Juniors Haley Rasmussen, Taylor McCreedy, and Maycie Waters, as well as Pelzer and K. Waters, started for Atlantic.

In the first half, both teams showcased strong defense. At the break, the Trojans were down by seven, 19-12.

Atlantic came out of the locker room looking to track down the lead. The girls began to hit shots from long distance, putting up 15 points in the third quarter. Heading into the final frame, Atlantic was behind, 37-27. The Trojans picked up steam, outscoring the Monarchs in the fourth. However, when time expired, Denison-Schleswig was in front, 46-40.

On Senior Night, K. Waters put up 12 points and grabbed five boards. Pelzer chipped in three points and had four rebounds.

The boys took the court shortly after the girls’ game concluded. Following a 23-point win against Red Oak, the Trojans rolled into the contest with a record of 7-8. The opposition was 11-6 and coming off a big victory over Creston. While the girls had played the Monarchs earlier in the season, the Trojan boys were getting their first glance at their challengers.

Sophomore Dayton Templeton, juniors Grant Sturm, Skyler Handlos, and Craig Alan Becker, and senior Nile Petersen comprised the starting lineup.

After tip-off, the two teams hung neck and neck. At the end of one, Denison-Schleswig had the edge, 14-11. The Trojans struggled to sink shots in the second, causing them to be down at the break, 34-24.

The Trojans were limited to nine points in the third quarter. While they were down 53-33 heading into the final eight minutes, the boys chipped away at the deficit throughout the quarter, hitting a variety of shots from outside. Atlantic was unable to complete the comeback, dropping the match to Denison-Schleswig, 67-55.

Petersen splashed in eight points and nabbed six rebounds on Senior Night. Ray put up two points and was credited with a steal, while Dennis grabbed a board.

While the girls’ team won’t face the Monarchs again this season, the boys will play Denison-Schleswig on Thursday, Feb. 20 in Denison.