By GARRETT WELLBROCK
Tiger Media Network
HOXIE, Kan. — Hoxie and Trego meet Tuesday night in a Mid-Continent League girls and boys doubleheader with postseason positioning and program development both in focus.
The girls’ contest features a Hoxie team rolling through league play. The Lady Indians enter 17-1 overall and 6-0 in the Mid-Continent League, ranked No. 3 in Class 2A and second in the Smith Center sub-state. Hoxie is 8-0 at home and has won three straight since a loss to state-ranked Quinter, averaging 64 points per game while allowing just 38 points per game.
First-year girls coach Jake Moss said balance has been the key to the team’s success.
“I wouldn’t say there is one standout player,” Moss said. “Any given night, our leading scorer is different,” Moss said.
He added that a strong returning core and depth have allowed Hoxie to play fast and score in bunches.
Trego’s girls enter 9-9 overall and 3-3 in league play, sitting 10th in the same sub-state. The Golden Eagles are coming off a dominant 54-6 win over Ellis, holding Ellis to just one second-half point. Morgan Brown scored 13 points in that win, while Trista Smith and Leah Day added strong interior play. Trego averages 47 points per game and allows 40, with a 5-3 road record this season.
The boys’ matchup pits a Trego team firmly in the postseason hunt against a young Hoxie squad focused on growth. Hoxie enters 3-14 overall and is winless in league play, averaging 38 points per game. Moss, who also coaches the Hoxie boys, said inexperience has been the biggest hurdle.
“Very young team,” Moss said. “None of the players have ever played varsity prior to this season.”
Trego’s boys are 12-5 overall and 4-2 in the Mid-Continent League, and fifth in the Smith Center sub-state. The Golden Eagles are coming off an 83-78 win over Ellis and average 61 points per game. Head coach Nolan Smith said discipline will be critical against Hoxie.
“The biggest keys for our team will be to win the rebounding battle and the turnover battle,” Smith said.
Smith also pointed to freshman Vladon Crawford, who leads Trego in scoring, rebounds, assists and steals, as a player to watch.
“He’s such an amazing teammate,” Smith said.
Tip-off for the girls’ game is scheduled for 6 p.m., with the boys’ contest to follow. Area Game of the Week coverage begins on 101.9 The Bull with pregame at 5:45 p.m., followed by tip-off at 6 p.m., after Gameday Live at 5.
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