TROY STARTS FAST, HOLDS OFF ATHENS, 40-3

By: Tim Birney  /  January 24, 2022

ATHENS — Troy jumped out to a big lead early, then made its free throws down the stretch to hold off Athens for a 40-33 win over Athens here Monday night in NTL Large School junior varsity boys basketball action.

The junior Trojans knocked down five 3-pointers in the opening stanza, including two apiece by Jack Burbage and Joseph Frye, in a 19-10 game-opening run. Korey Miller and Connor Mosher canned 3-pointers for the Wildcats.

Xavier Watson scored five points in the second quarter, and Mosher connected on another 3-pointer, but Athens only trimmed one point off the Troy lead, and trailed 26-18 at the break.

Mosher drained his third 3-pointer in the third quarter to spark a 7-2 spurt that closed the gap to 28-25, but the Wildcats missed a golden opportunity to pull closer, or take the lead by doing 0-for-4 at the free throw line.

Mosher and Troy Rosenbloom made 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, but Troy was 8-for-8 from the free throw line, including a 6-for-6 performance by Lance Heasley, to sew up the victory.

Mosher led Athens with 12 points — all on 3-pointers, while Watson had nine points and five rebounds, and Miller had five points, five rebounds, six assists, and nine steals.

Rosenbloom had five points, three steals, and one blocked shot for Athens, and Jase Babcock added six rebounds and one blocked shot.

Heasley led a balanced Troy attack with 10 points, and Burbage added eight.

Athens hosts NP-Liberty Tuesday.