Trojan basketball year in review
BY RYAN RICHTER
Sports writer
Not every fairy tale has a happy ending.
While most teams would yearn for a 20-4 record and a berth in the state basketball tournament, the Trojan boys' team fell shy of capturing the state title.
But Trojan coach Darrell Knoll wasn't complaining even after his tired team was eliminated in the first round March 6 of the Class 3A state tournament at Hutchinson by the eventually third finishing Riley County Falcons, 74-46.
"We had a great year," he said. "I know that the players had fun and I had a great time coaching them this year."
Wednesday's quarterfinal game sadly marked the ending of three seniors' careers who put out a good effort all year, Ross Duerksen, Layne Frick and Adam Woods.
A huge reason for the Trojans' 20-4 finish came from Duerksen.
After all, it was his clutch free throw shooting which helped Hillsboro hold off a pesky Ellinwood Eagle team.
He's partially responsible for turning the lights out on Hoisington last week in the sub-state final, draining three of four key free throws in the second overtime.
"Ross came to play hard every day and every game," said Knoll. "He ended up being the difference in several games and had a good attitude even when it wasn't his night."
While Frick may be best remembered as one of the Trojans' best wide receivers ever, his legacy on the basketball court won't soon be forgotten either.
One of his biggest feats on the basketball court came when he canned a buzzer beater to lead Hillsboro past 5A Great Bend in December.
And he was instrumental in both games against bitter-enemy Collegiate, smothering the Spartans in Wichita with four blocked shots.
"Layne is very talented," Knoll said. "He often defended the opponent's better players both inside and out.
"He did a great job on the boards the entire year and hit big shots in several games."
When it came to banging around inside and scrapping in the paint, Woods' frame was an ideal weapon.
Who could forget the job he did keeping Hesston's standout Brad Gattis from taking both games against the Swathers over?
Or how he frustrated Class 3A's second leading scorer Zach Baird of Hoisington, eventually fouling him out in the first overtime?
That's the same Woods who last year did a fair job sticking with eventual Class 3A Player-of-the-Year Dennis Latimore of state champion Halstead, who now is playing at the NCAA top 10 stalwart Arizona Wildcats.
"Adam really improved this season," Knoll said. "He became a solid defender and a real threat inside. We would have struggled in several games without his play."
Even with the loss of the senior class, it would still be safe to assume Hillsboro to be a force to be reckoned with next season.
"We have six solid players coming," said Knoll. "All of them had great games this year and they'll be better next year than they were this year.
