With area play looming, the CHHS Trojans are looking for an identity.

The Trojans, 4-5, are looking for a way to win consistently, said head coach Carl Hollis.

“They have had a good week of practice,” Hollis said. “It’s because they say Central Phoenix City and Northview. They got to see how hard they work and how smart they play.”

The Trojans came into this season largely unproven, and Hollis hopes his team will use the holiday break to regroup and figure out what it takes to be a winning program.

“We need to learn to play with intensity and learn to play smart,” Hollis said. “Right now, we are turning the ball over way too much. We have to stop living behind the three-point line. We are not getting the ball in the paint.”

Even with all the struggles the Trojans have endured early, the fact that they have played teams like Carver and Central-Phoenix City gives the coaching staff confidence in knowing that they have tested their players.

“It gives me confidence,” Hollis said. “It gives us an idea in what we have to do to compete against teams.”

The Trojans have relied on the entire team to step up and produce.

“They need to be more consistent,” Hollis said. “I haven’t really had any step up like I have really needed them to step up yet.”

With the season near the halfway point, Hollis says the players can no longer lean on the excuse of being a young team.

“They are not young anymore,” Hollis said. “When you become a varsity basketball player, you are not young anymore. As a coach you can’t hide behind this young stuff. Your kids have to execute, and right now we are not executing.”

Hollis believes the Trojans can be competitive in the region.

“Athletic-wise we matchup up with Eufaula pretty well,” Hollis said. “We are bigger than they are, but we are not as quick as they are. We may have some trouble with their guard Tony Johnson. He is tough, and he his hard to contain one-on-one.”

The Trojans will take a few days off for the holidays but get back to work and prepare for area play.

The Trojans will be back in action when they host Rehobeth January 8.