Fourth time in Trojan history
By Dan Truttschel
Correspondent
It’s no secret that East Troy High School senior girls basketball player Katrina Santos is the focus for every team the Trojans face.
But they still haven’t consistently been able to slow her down – and after last week, she has her name in the school record books to prove it.
Santos became the fourth player in school history to eclipse the 1,000-point plateau in the Trojans’ exciting 48-46 win Jan. 12 over Beloit Turner.
The win and Santos’s 1,000th point made for a perfect combination, East Troy assistant coach Dave Lindow, who filled in for head coach Jeff Brown (illness), said.
“I’m really proud of our kids, who battled most of the game (with the lead) and (then) battled the pressure after losing the lead and fought to come back and get the win,” he said.
“It was really great to get the win for Kat. I really wanted for our team to celebrate the game when she got her 1,000th point.”
Lindow added he also was pleased to see the excitement from the entire team when Santos reached her milestone.
“I could not be prouder of our kids, who really have cheered for Katrina all year,” he said. “They were all happy for her.
“It’s a great achievement, and it’s also a team award when a post player gets to 1,000. Lots of kids need to get you the ball (to do that).”
Santos reached her milestone with 5:55 left on the first of two made free throws that gave East Troy a 36-31 lead.
Turner eventually rallied back and took a 46-45 advantage on a 3-pointer with just 48 seconds remaining.
And that’s where East Troy freshman Mackenzie Lindow entered the picture.
With just 1.3 seconds on the clock, Lindow drained all three free throws after she was fouled attempting a 3-pointer.
The rest, as they say, is history.
“It was a pretty special night filling in for coach Brown, seeing Kat score her 1,000th point and seeing my daughter win the game knocking down the free throws,” Lindow said.
“I asked Mackenzie what she was thinking on the line, and she said she didn’t want to let Katrina down and wanted to win the game for her. … (This is) one I will always remember.”
Santos finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Trojans, followed by Lindow with 12 points and five assists and Kayla Casper with 10 points and 13 rebounds.
East Troy (7-7 overall, 3-6 RVC) is back in action Thursday night at Parkview, followed by a home contest next Tuesday, Jan. 26, against visiting Big Foot.
Trojans fall to Whippets
East Troy ran into the buzz saw that is the defending Division 3 state champions and the currently ranked No. 1 team in Wisconsin Jan. 15 when it traveled to Whitewater.
The Whippets lived up to their billing, as they ran out to a 33-8 halftime lead and never looked back in a 67-28 victory.
Santos led the way with 11 points and seven rebounds, followed by Rosin with six points and Erin Rice with six points and five rebounds.
“They are very good, and if things fall into place, you might see them back at state this year and maybe the following year as well,” Lindow said.
“We are now 7-7 and are trying to improve and see if we can finish strong and avenge a few of our losses from earlier this year. Ninety percent of our team is back (next year), and we need to keep improving as we look to the future.”
