Trotters take care of business against Troy

Plains wasted no time getting back to work after the Christmas break as the Horsemen and Trotters hosted the boys’ and girls’ teams from Troy Thursday night in a pair of Western 7B conference games at Plains High. 

The Trotters rolled to an early lead and never looked back in their 48-25 win over the Troy girls, while the Plains boys fell behind early to the current 7B conference leaders, 52-37. 

In the nightcap of the double-header, the Trotters raced to a 12-4 lead after one quarter of play, then outscored Troy 12-3 in the second quarter to take a 24-7 halftime lead over the visitors, who came in with a 1-2 season mark. 

It was more of the same for the Trotters in the third quarter as they added eight points to their lead behind standout sophomore forward Ava Lawyer, who tossed in a game-high 18 points for Plains. 

Heading into the final eight minutes of play, the Trotters were up 37-12 and reserves were given bonus playing time in the fourth quarter.  Troy managed to trim two points off the Trotters’ lead by outpointing the home team 13-11. 

But the game-long deficit was too big for the visitors to overcome as the Trotters rolled to their fourth victory of the season against two losses. 

Taryn Meredith added 11 points in the Plains win. 

Earlier Thursday evening, early season conference leader Troy erupted for 21 first quarter points while limiting Plains to six to take a 15-point lead after the first eight minutes of play. 

Plains fought back in the second quarter, outscoring the visitors 15-11, leaving Troy with a 32-21 halftime lead. 

Plains sliced three more points off the Troy lead in the third quarter to pull within nine, 40-32, with one quarter to go. 

But Troy’s defense limited Plains to just five points in the final quarter as they rolled to the 52-37 victory, giving them a 3-2 record for the year. 

Senior forward Zayden Allen led the Horsemen in scoring with 13 points, while teammate and fellow senior Darren Standeford added 12 for the home team. 

Plains fell to 3-2 with the loss.  Both of the Horsemen losses this season have been to Troy, which moved to 2-0 in 7B play, while Plains fell to 0-2. 

Both Plains teams have two games this week, traveling to Noxon Friday night for an encounter with the red-hot Red Devils boys’ team and the Lady Devils, then returning home this Saturday for a pair of games versus Darby. 

    Ashley Ferlan (with ball) works to get past Troy's Leslie Gravier during the Trotters 48-25 win Thursday night in Plains. (Photo by Tracy Scott)
  

    Plains forward Wyatt Butcher goes up for two during the Horsemen's game this past Thursday versus Troy in Plains.  (Photo by Tracy Scott)
  

    Horsemen sophomore forward Cooper Meredith (24) goes high in a battle for a rebound versus Troy during their game this past Thursday in Plains.  (Photo by Tracy Scott)