Trojan hardcourt teams split with Menard

The Sacred Heart Trojan and Lady Trojan basketball teams hosted the Menard Eagles on Monday night in non-district play. The Lady Trojans shot only 13 percent from the field in a 36-31 loss. The Trojans hit key free throws down the stretch to put away the Eagles 64-50.
The Lady Trojans and Lady Eagles came out in the first quarter trying to feel each other out as both teams instituted a zone defense. Menard took the early 5-0 lead over Sacred Heart. The Lady Trojans did not score their first bucket until the 3:14 mark of the quarter. Sacred Heart was able to string together some made buckets to close within one and only trail 7-6 at the end of the first period.
The second quarter saw Sacred Heart take the 10-8 lead at the 4:30 mark when Gabby Andrepont netted a two point basket. With 2:07 left in the quarter, Kara Aguillard went to the charity stripe and connected on one of two free throws to take the 13-12 lead. However, the Lady Eagles went on a 5-0 run to close out the quarter and lead 17-13 at half .
Sacred Heart had possession to start the third period and scored five points in a row taking the 18-17 lead with 4:38 left in the quarter. Menard scored seven unanswered points, including a three pointer to regain the lead 24-18 with 35 seconds to go in the period. Andrepont netted a basket to cut the Lady Eagle lead to 24-20, but a three pointer with five seconds left extended the Menard lead to 27-20 at the end of the third quarter.
Baskets were exchanged to start the final period. The Lady Eagles pushed their lead to nine, 32-23, with 3:35 to go in the game. The Lady Trojans began to press full court and were able to cut the Menard lead 32-31 with 1:38 left on the clock. Menard then added a two point field goal and two free throws to finish out the scoring and come away with the 36-31 win.
The Lady Trojans only made nine of 70 shots and nine of 20 free throws. That along with numerous turnovers led to the Sacred Heart loss. Leading scorers for the Lady Trojans were Andrepont and Catherine Poche. Both players netted nine points in the loss. Andrepont also led all players with eight rebounds.
The nightcap saw the Trojan boys win the opening tip. Menard jumped out to a 2-0 lead on a bucket only one minute into the game. Sacred Heart scored 12 unanswered points to take a 12-4 lead with 1:33 left in the first quarter. The Trojans closed out the scoring with five points, including a three pointer by Keaton Tate to lead 16-4 at the end of the first period.
The second quarter saw Sacred Heart outscore Menard 14-7 to extend its lead to 30-11 at the end of the first half.
In the period, Sean Fontenot netted six points and Tate added five points, including another three point basket. The first half was played rather cleanly, as both teams only recorded four team fouls each.
Sacred Heart held possession to start the third quarter. Menard came out in a man-to-man pressure defense to try and cause some turnovers. After a Seth Shipp free throw gave the Trojans a 31-11 lead, the Eagles went on a 6-0 run to cut the score to 31-17. Both teams exchanged baskets throughout the third period as Sacred Heart took a 12 point advantage, 38-26, as the third period closed.
Menard then began to employ an old Arkansas Razorback game plan in the fourth period. The Eagles began mass substitutions, sometimes five at a time, trying to wear down the Trojans. It did not work as quickly as Menard would have liked, as Sacred Heart began the period on a 6-0 run to go up 44-26 with 6:48 left. Menard began to chip away at the Trojan lead, cutting the score to 46-34 at the 5:17 mark. However, Sacred Heart was able to make their free throws going 17 for 22 at the charity stripe to close out the game and come away with the 64-50 victory.
Leading scorers for the Trojans were Mikey Laughlin and Keaton Tate, who poured in 19 and 17 points respectively. Seth Shipp hauled down eight boards to lead all rebounders. The Trojans 45 percent from the field were 22 of 34 in the free throw department.