Mission has tough show at state against Whitehall, Red Devils
Aaron Trudeau clears the obstacles for a lay up against Loyola.
ST IGNATIUS — The Bulldogs traveled to Great Falls last weekend for the class B State Tournament but returned home frustrated after going two-and-out.
"We didn't play real well, it was out of our the 'norm'. We couldn't buy a bucket. We couldn't get a call. We just didn't do well. I can't explain it. It just wasn't the way we usually play," head coach Steve Woll said.
The boys started the tournament on Thursday against the Huntley Project Red Devils. The Bulldogs have played as a team all season and, with one of the members sidelined by an injury, the team wasn't all together, and it showed on the scoreboard.
The Bulldogs were only behind by one point after the first quarter, 15-14, but the Red Devils pulled ahead in the second quarter, 32-21. Classically, the 'Dogs came out of the locker room energized and pushed the 'Devils back for a score of 43-42. The 'Devils popped back up and the 'Dogs finally lost it 65-52.
Gus McDonald scored 24 points, Tyler Trudeau scored eight, Robbie Trahan scored seven, Logan Gordon scored nine and Casey Cable scored five. McDonald had several key 3-pointers in a row in the third quarter, but couldn't get the team back on track.
The 'Dogs were all in it on Friday for a much closer game, but fell 34-31 to Whitehall. Avery Old Coyote was back and he put eight points in the game. Whitehall picked up the lead in the first quarter, giving them an advantage throughout the game. In the first quarter the game went 10-6 and the Trojans still held their four-point lead in the second quarter. 14-10.
There was still a four point gap after the third quarter, 23-19. McDonald dropped in a lay up and then assisted Trudeau for two. Back at the net again McDonald pushed the defense out of the way for another lay up. Close was what you'd call the fourth quarter. Old Coyote scored back-to-back buckets and then put in another two points with free throws. Cable made a two-point shot before Trudeau went to the line for two free throws, but the Trojans kept McDonald away from the net with a tough defensive push and the 'Dogs missed a last minute attempt to tie it.