By: Zachary Harnischfeger
Zee Johnson (#4), I'zick Reaves (#0), Khorie Reaves (1), and Connor Osier (#5) discussing a play. (Photo Credit: Zachary Harnischfeger)
GREECE, NY-- The Greece Athena Trojans came into the game looking to keep their undefeated season alive going against their crosstown rival Greece Arcadia. After a slow start, the Trojans used an 11-point third quarter run to defeat the Titans 67-46.
Missed shots and costly turnovers by the Titans put Greece Athena ahead 17-8 in the first quarter. Defensive woes and missed shots by the Trojans led to them clinging to a 24-18 lead to end the first half. Senior guard Zacarr Johnson scored 13 of his 15 points in the first half.
"We were playing down to their level," Johnson said. "We weren't playing at a pace we know we can play at."
Johnson looking to pass the ball (Photo Credit: Zachary Harnischfeger)
The Trojans offense exploded in the second half. Greece Athena went on an 11-point run to begin the third quarter. Senior Khorie Reaves and junior I'zayah Reaves combined for 17 points in the third quarter to put the Trojans ahead 47-32.
"[Coach] told us to lock in," Khorie Reaves said. "He just told us to come out there, lock in, play together and trust each other and that's what we did that second half."
Khorie Reaves going up for a dunk (Photo Credit: Zachary Harnischfeger)
I'zayah Reaves scored nine of his 15 points in the fourth quarter and the Titans failed to stop the hot Trojans offense as Greece Athena cruised to a 67-46 victory.
Trojans senior forward Connor Osier finished the night with six points, 18 rebounds, two steals, and five assists. I'zick Reaves recorded four steals and Johnson had five steals to help lead the Trojan defense. Khorie Reaves led the team with 16 points on the night and also recorded two blocks.
"All five starters have been huge for us," Greece Athena head coach Mike Setzer said. "If you look at our games it's not uncommon for all five of them to be in double figures or close to it at the end of the game."
For Greece Arcadia, Junior center Xavier Smith led the team with 16 points. Senior Lincoln Fling had 12 points and Drake Sapp finished with 11 points, going 3-for-3 on three-point shots.
With the win, the Trojans improve to 9-0 on the season. Coach Setzer knows that high energy and good practices will help the Trojans continue their success.
"We have to stay hungry and practice better," Setzer said. "We had a really terrible practice yesterday and I think that is what showed in the first half. We have a week and a half where we don't play a game, so we have to do the work in practice and bring the energy in practice."
Greece Athena will be back in action on Friday, January 12th when they travel to Brockport to take on the Blue Devils. Tip-off is at 7pm.
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