The West Central Trojan girls and boys basketball teams hosted the Vermillion Tanagers on Tuesday, January 25th. Both the Trojan teams beat very good Vermillion teams. The girls won 63-49, while the boys came from behind to win 62-58.
West Central 63, Vermillion 49 – Girls
The West Central Trojans used a fast start to get the win against the Tanagers. The Trojans jumped out to a 12-3 lead at the end of the first quarter. The lead grew to 20 points, 23-3, with 5:15 to play in the second quarter. Vermillion rallied and cut the lead to 27-15 with 1:08 to go in the half. West Central ended the quarter on a 5-0 run for a 32-15 halftime lead.
The Tanagers tried to cut into the lead throughout the second half, but every time they made a run, West Central had an answer. The Trojans still led by 16 points, 45-29, heading into the fourth quarter. Vermillion started the fourth by scoring the first three points. They then got the lead down to single digits, 52-44, with 2:25 to go in the game. West Central, however, shut down the rally and ended the game on an 11-5 run.
Rylee Haldeman had 28 points. Grace Harden finishe with 15 points. Addy Kramer added nine points, and Tabor Teel had five points.
West Central 62, Vermillion 58 – Boys
The Trojans went on a late rally in the fourth quarter to earn the victory over the Tanagers. Most of the game was back-and-forth between the two teams. Vermillion had a three-point lead at the end of the first quarter, 17-14. West Central did take the lead in the second quarter, but the Tanagers still held the advantage at halftime, 35-33.
The Tanagers scored the first five points of the second half for a 40-33 lead with 6:30 to play in the third quarter. West Central cut into the lead throughout the quarter, but Vermillion still held a three-point lead heading into the fourth quarter, 49-46. The Tanagers led 56-51 with 2:30 to go, and that’s when the Trojans made their move. West Central went on a 6-0 run with the Grafton Stroup hitting a three pointer with :36 left in the game. The Trojans were able to make their free throws in the closing seconds to get the win.
Dillon Jackson led West Central with 24 points. Stroup ended with 13 points. Jacob Krempges had eight points. Carter Schmeichel finished with seven points, and Braden Dierickx had six points.