Unranked Trojans seek motivation
Patrick Ritter
December 21, 1999The men's basketball team began the season unranked, a rarity in recent history, but the players aren't letting the insult lower their expectations. Instead, senior Matt Hennis states, "We're using it to motivate us a little.
Following the traditional blowout at the preseason jamboree, East hosted fourth ranked Cedar Rapids Jefferson in the first real test of the year. The lead jumped back and forth for much of the second half, but the Trojan defense held up twice in the last :09 to secure the win. Dixon and Archie both finished with 12 points.
East played Ankeny the next day for the tournament championship. Ankeny's offense started strong to put East down 49-19 at halftime before going on to win by a score of 66-45. Wilder had 10 points in the losing effort, and Archie added 9 points.
The Trojan team lost a handful of key players to graduation last year, and is looking for several players from the sophomore team that went 17-1 two seasons ago to step up this year and provide the team leadership. These seniors include Marcus Wynter, Russell Dixon, Les Wilder, Eugene Thomas and Gus Archie.
Joey McCraney returns after a year off to contribute to the supporting staff, joining seniors Ralph Parker and Hennig and juniors Derrick Bates and Brook Reid. Talented freshman Mike Henderson has moved up to the varsity level to pick up some of the lost scoring and to run the offense.
"He's going to be something in the future," Hennig said about Henderson.
Tonight, East will face Iowa City West at home, before getting a few weeks off for the holidays.
Check out the East Highs Mens Basketball Schedule for this season.
Updated 12/24/99 by Mike Bowser