Last-minute 3 pointer by Lomen wins game
By Dan Truttschel
Correspondent
It’s still very early, but the East Troy High School girls basketball team continues to take positive steps forward.
And that certainly was the case last week.
Freshman Grace Lomen knocked down the game-winning 3-pointer with 20 seconds left, and the Trojans hung on for a 57-56 Rock Valley Conference victory Nov. 20 at Big Foot.
The win improved East Troy to 2-1 overall and 2-0 in the RVC. The Trojans have already doubled the number of conference wins from a season ago.
“I think this group of kids have believed all along,” East Troy co-head coach Maurya Lomen said. “For us, it’s really important because we’re coming off such a tough year (last year).
“We’re taking it one game at a time and are continuing to focus on our core values. That’s what we continue to focus on. They’re young, so I don’t think they really know what to expect. They’re just having fun, and that’s what we’re really happy about.”
On the game winner, it was the Lomen sisters who teamed up, as Addy Lomen got deep into the lane and kicked out the basketball to her younger sister, who knocked down the trey.
“(Big Foot’s defense) dropped on her, and she kicked it out to Grace,” Lomen said. “It was a deep three. It was a foot past the 3-point lane. It was a great shot.”
Big Foot had three chances in the final seconds to pull off the win, but couldn’t convert from close range.
East Troy jumped out to a fast 23-6 lead in the first half before the Chiefs fought back and closed the gap. The Trojans held a 30-25 advantage at halftime.
“It was a good game,” Lomen said. “It was back and forth. My hat’s off to Big Foot. They played hard.
“They play the same kind of game as us. They played a 2-2-1 zone press the whole game. We did a nice job breaking it.”
Grace Lomen led the way with 17 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three blocked shots, followed by Erin Rice with 13 points, eight rebounds and two blocks, and Mackenzie Lindow with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Gracie Moker chipped in with nine points, four rebounds and three steals.
Lomen said she continues to be pleased with the efforts of her two seniors, Rice and Lindow.
“Erin and Mackenzie are doing so many things that are huge right now,” Lomen said. “They’re leading, and they’re rebounding. It’s really big. Everyone on our team is willing to shoot, and everyone on our team is playing hard-nosed defense. It’s just a joy to watch.”
East Troy was back in conference action Tuesday night against visiting Edgerton, followed by a road trip Friday to Clinton to face the Cougars.
The focus this week remains the same as it’s been, Lomen said, as the Trojans try to build even more momentum moving forward.
“We’re going to focus on ourselves,” she said. “There’s 15 of us. We practice with our JV. We just do what we do and continue to focus on us and what our goals are. We’ll take them one at a time.”
