Impressive week for Trojans

It was a great week for the Whitehall High School boys basketball team.

The Trojans (11-5, 4-5 5B) bounced back from two tough road losses with a thrilling 66-58 overtime victory Thursday over Manhattan, and a convincing 78-66 road win Friday night at Gardiner.

It was as emotional start to the week for the Trojans when they hosted rival Manhattan on senior night in a packed Varsity Gym. After a back and fourth affair, Whitehall saved their best for last.

After a Tigers shot at the buzzer tied the game at the end of regulation, the Trojans dominated the overtime period Thursday in a 66-58 victory.

Prior to the game, seniors Wyatt Alexander, Ryan Murphy, and Braden Smith were honored in a senior night ceremony. Whitehall was without the services of Alexander, who injured his knee last week against Three Forks.

Junior Max Feight, who had a game high 34 points, discussed the importance of getting the win for the senior class members of the team.

"It was great. These seniors have meant a lot to our program and they've put in a lot of work. To send them off with a win is something special," Feight said.

It was a slow start Thursday for the Trojans, who trailed 12-6 at the end of the first quarter 26-23 at halftime.

Head coach Zach McLean said the Tigers were able to hit a few long three pointers at the start of the game, but his team did a great job of sticking to the game plan.

Following the game, both McLean and Feight praised the way the team responded to playing without Alexander. Both also discussed the huge night from junior Cade Briggs, who scored eight points in a two-minute stretch in the third quarter.

McLean said that is the production from Cade they have been waiting for.

"Tonight he played really confident and showed what he can do," he said.

For Feight, it was also very much a win that took the entire squad.

"When you lose one of the best players in the state it is going to be tough to replace the production, but Cade, Ryan, Sawyer, Smitty (Braden Smith), and the guys stepped up, knocked down shots and played good defense," Feight said.

McLean said after the injury last week, the team never hung their heads and he is very proud of them.

"They came out and played together. They played their butts off," he said.

Briggs also finished in double figures with 13 points. Smith had eight, Murphy had six and Keener added five points.

GARDINER

Whitehall came out of the gates strong Friday against the Bruins, taking a 21-13 lead at the end of the first quarter and a 41-33 lead at halftime. The Trojans were firing on all cylinders in the third, outscoring Gardiner 23-11 on their way to the 12 point victory.

McLean said coming of a close conference win and traveling to play at top ten ranked team on the road the team showed a lot of mental toughness in the victory.

"Gardiner really likes to push the pace and I thought overall we did a good job of attacking when we had numbers, and pulling it out and running our stuff if there wasn't," he said.

The Trojans had four players in double figures, led by Feight with 36 points. Smith had 12, Briggs added 11, and Murphy finished with 10 points. Keener added nine for the Trojans who will next play on the road Friday night at Townsend. Whitehall will wrap up their regular season Saturday at Manhattan Christian.