By Jennifer Gomez | Staff writer, Photographer, Sports writer, Associate Editor
Indian Trail High School & Academy packed the Nest for its first Division One WIAA boys basketball playoff game against cross-town rival the Tremper Trojans. Spirits were high as IT students decked out in white in hopes of cheering on their team into the next round of playoffs. After a hard fought game the Hawks lost only by four points in the fourth quarter; finishing with a score of 52-56.
The loss was not due to a lack of effort; players were competitive until the end in this game as well as every game they’ve played this year. IT took on the Trojans three other times this season, coming away with two wins against them.
“I am proud of how hard our players played in every game,” said Michael Crowe, Indian Trail’s head boys varsity basketball coach.
The team’s drive and abilities showed through in their performance this year. Out of nine teams, they placed in the No. 4 seed. They also had a record of 7-6, which means they have had a better season than quite a few teams in the area such as Franklin and Bradford high schools.
“We had a chance to win every game and were competitive in every con- test,” said Crowe.
IT’s players were understandably upset about the losing in the first round playoffs, but handled it as well as any team could. They still walked away from the season with new experiences and new friendships.
“The team strength this year is our chemistry. We all are pretty close to each other and the better friends we are off the court. I gain a lot of friendships and get to learn a lot about myself through playing with Indian Trail,” said Tony Thomas, an Indian Trail varsity basketball player and General Studies senior.