Trojans advance to regional semifinal tonight
By Dan Truttschel
Correspondent
With the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association playoffs lurking around the corner, it would have been easy for the East Troy boys basketball team to relax a bit and prepare for what the Trojans hope is another deep run.
But that wouldn’t fit the mold that coach Darryl Rayfield has developed in his time with the program.
Not even close.
East Troy closed its regular season Friday night with a hard-fought 63-61 loss to Milwaukee Destiny, which closed the year as the state’s top-ranked team in Division 4.
The Trojans (13-8) opened Division 3 regional action with a 72-45 win over Big Foot on Tuesday night.
Playing a high-octane team like Milwaukee Destiny was just the test Rayfield was looking for.
“It’s no secret in the basketball community that they have an extremely talented team,” he said. “The place was packed and the game was on. It was a sectional-type atmosphere.
“Our young kids needed this and responded to the challenge. Some of the best lessons are learned in the journeys.”
East Troy trailed 22-18 at halftime, and while the Trojans outscored Destiny by two points in the final 18 minutes, couldn’t quite get over the hump,
Michael Polakoski led the way with 16 points, followed by Jonathan Ciriacks and Nick Bourdo with 14 apiece.
“We had great balance and played our best defense of the year,” Rayfield said. “I just can’t say enough about this group’s willingness to play together. It’s tournament time, and we will have to continue the journey.”
The win Tuesday for East Troy, which drew the sixth seed, sends the Trojans to a regional semifinal tonight against the winner of third-seeded Beloit Turner and 14th-seeded Palmyra-Eagle. Game time is 7 p.m. at Beloit.
East Troy owns an 89-35 win over Big Foot on Jan. 31. The Trojans fell 99-84 to Turner in the teams’ only meeting Jan. 17.
The winner in the semifinal advances to the regional final Saturday against either second-seeded Evansville, seventh-seeded Edgerton or 10th-seeded Clinton.
Sectional play begins Thursday, March 9. The sectional’s top overall seed is Lake Mills.
Trojans whip Whippets
East Troy built a 39-23 halftime lead over visiting Whitewater last Thursday night and cruised to a 74-59 Rock Valley Conference win.
The Trojans closed conference play at 12-4, good for third behind McFarland and Evansville, who tied for the North Division title at 14-2.
“(Whitewater) is big and athletic,” Rayfield said. “It was just a very good game for our last league game.
“Their kids know our kids really well. They are well coached, and they would have loved to beat East Troy.”
Ciriacks led four Trojans in double figures with 28 points, followed by A.J. Vukovich with 13, Jared Brehm with 12 and Polakoski with 11.
“Jon Ciriacks was just super,” Rayfield said. “He closed out the conference season with a great game, (both) inside and outside with complete confidence all game through.
“‘Polo’ followed up with another great effort. Our team is really playing well together. It’s the perfect time for them to start peaking.”
