The West Central Trojan boys basketball team had to shake off a slow first half, but they were able to do just that for a 63-46 win over the Garretson Blue Dragons on Monday, December 20th in Garretson.
Neither team shot the ball particularly well in the first quarter. Dillon Jackson sank a three-pointer at the buzzer to give West Central a 7-6 lead after the first quarter. Both offenses had more success in the second quarter. The two teams went back and forth, but the Trojans held a 26-22 halftime lead.
Garretson struck quickly in the third quarter. The Blue Dragons scored the first five points in :45 for a 27-26 lead with 7:15 to play in the quarter. Jackson made a jumper, and then West Central got two quick steals with breakaway layups to regain the lead 32-27 just a minute later. That series of events sparked a rally for West Central. They went on a 12-4 run for a 44-31 lead with 2:00 to go in the quarter. The Trojans ended the third period leading 49-35.
The Blue Dragons made another quick spurt to start the fourth quarter. They went on an early 6-0 run to cut the lead to 49-41 with 5:45 to play in the game. The Trojans, however, shut down the rally and outscored Garretson 14-5 the remainder of the game for the win.
West Central finished the game shooting 39% (24-61) from the field, 29% (10-34) from three-point area, and a perfect 5-for-5 from the free-throw line. Garretson was 31% (14-45) shooting in the game, just 18% (2-11) on three-pointers, and 73% (16-22) from the free-throw line.
Grafton Stroup finished with 18 points and five rebounds. Jackson had 15 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Jacob Krempges added 10 points, three assists, and two rebounds. Braden Dierickx had seven points, three rebounds, three steals, and three assists. Braden Herr finished with five points and four rebounds. Dylan Stromer had six rebounds, and Brodie Herr had five rebounds.
West Central (3-1) will host Dell Rapids on Monday, January 3rd for their next game.