Trojans host Manhattan Thursday

It will be an emotional night Thursday when the Whitehall High School boys basketball team hosts conference rival Manhattan. The Trojans will recognize seniors Wyatt Alexander, Ryan Murphy, and Braden Smith in a special ceremony prior to the game tentatively scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in the Varsity Gym.

Whitehall Head Coach Zach McLean said the three are a great group of seniors and very respectful young men.

"Time flies by, I can remember all three of them as freshman. They have dedicated themselves to the program and made Whitehall basketball better," McLean said.

The Trojans (9-5, 3-5 Southern 5B) will look to get back into the win column after two tough road setbacks last week.

Whitehall fell Friday night 57-48 at Big Timber, and 70-63 Saturday at conference leader Three Forks.

In the game Friday, a strong third quarter from the Trojans could not erase a 13-point half point deficit.

The Trojans were led in scoring by Max Feight with 16 points. Murphy finished with 12 points, and Alexander was also in double figures with 11. Smith had six points for Whitehall.

Whitehall was strong out of the gates Saturday against the hosting Wolves, taking a 36-27 lead into halftime against the third ranked team in the state. The Trojans did however suffer a huge blow in the half when Alexander hyperextended his knee and did not return in the second half when the team was outscored 43-27.

Feight led the team with 26 points. Junior guard Sawyer Keener was huge of the bench for Whitehall with 10 points. Smith had nine, and Murphy and Alexander each finished with eight points.

With Alexander unable to play Thursday, McLean said it is a blow for the team and they are hoping and praying for good news about his return. He said without Alexander out of the line up the team cannot change their expectations.

"We will have to shuffle some things, but we aren't looking for one guy to fill Wyatt's role. We have to have that balance; we are going need to make some plays, without pressing the issue. There plays need to come within flow of our offense. You know we faced a triangle and 2 in Big Timber, and we may face more junk defenses without Wyatt. We just need to focus on things that we can control," McLean said.

After four consecutive road games, McLean said the team has faced some great atmospheres on the road, and the trips have made the team closer.

He said they are excited and looking forward to the challenge Manhattan will bring.

Whitehall will return to the road Friday when they travel to Gardiner.