Trojan crossing
Published 10:55 pm Monday, January 11, 2010
After winning two straight games, it appeared the Charles Henderson Trojans were back on track to start the new year.
However, problems that hurt the Trojans in 2009, again, got them in 2010.
This past Saturday, CHHS traveled to Northview and after leading throughout much of the game, fell in the closing seconds.
With under a minute to play, the Trojans’ had a four-point lead, but thanks to two costly turnovers, dropped a heart breaker to the Titans, 59-56.
“We played good basketball,” head coach Carl Hollis said despite the loss.
“To have played Friday night and to come and play again on Saturday – I thought our kids played good fundamental basketball with no sign of fatigue.
“We just have to find a way to finish off games,” he added.
The loss dropped the Trojans to under .500 again, at 6-7.
The loss also drops CHHS’ road record to 1-4 on the season.
“We get a nice cushion and then we ease up and relax,” Hollis said about his team after getting a sizeable lead. “That is something that should not be the case.”
“You don’t play hard in the first three quarters and give the game away in the fourth [quarter]. [The team] was hurting afterwards,” Hollis added.
“They were hurting pretty bad.”
Hollis said he had a few ideas for why CHHS has had some difficulties this season in closing games.
“Anytime a team gives up leads like we have this season, I think it comes down to the athletes.
“It comes down to hustling, making free throws and keeping composure and pose – things we have to improve,” he said.
Now, the Trojans will again look to bounce back with a home again against Eufaula tonight.
The Tigers come into the game with a 7-11 overall record and are 0-2 in the 5A Area 3.
“It is going to be a tough game – it always is with Eufaula,” Hollis said.
“If both teams play as well as they can, it’s going to be one of those games that go down to the wire.”
The Trojans come into the game with a 2-0 record in 5A Area 3 as well as a 5-2 record on their home court.
“[Eufaula] is a physical, tough team that can shoot the ball well. “They care coming into the game winless in Area play so I expect them to be hungry and I expect us to match that hunger,” he added.