Women of Troy defeat Southeast Polk, make it to state tournament
The Women of Troy defeated the Southeast Polk Rams, 60-54, in their final sub-state game on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at home.
West High girls celebrate with Coach Meyer after their substate win.
West finished the first quarter tied and the second quarter up by only one point in an intense and fast-paced game, needing to make a change in the second half of the game.
“In the second half we all just went and laid it all out there. We were really amped up on defense and we kind of slowed it down on offense so we made less turnovers. The crowd and the student section really got us pumped up and the energy was really contagious,” said Emma Koch ’19.
Despite a tight first half, the Women of Troy seemed to gain back some momentum following two three-pointers scored by Maddie Huinker ’17 in the third quarter and a run involving Koch, Rachael Saunders ’18 and Logan Cook ’18, which led West to a ten-point margin of victory in the last quarter.
“I think that [run] really got us pumped up and really made us realize that we could win this game,” said Koch.
This win grants West a pass to the state tournament, whose first round will be held next Wednesday, March 1, at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. The Women of Troy were narrowly denied this trip last year by Waukee when they were defeated by one point in their last sub-state game, making this year more special.
“I’m just so happy. It was so devastating not to make it last year which just made making it to state this year so much better,” said Koch. “I’m really glad we could do it for the seniors because we have a great group of seniors and it’s nice that we don’t have to end our season early.”
As for the players, they have set high goals for state.
“I really do think we can go all the way and win it,” said Koch. “The teams that we’ve lost to, I know that we can beat them. I really don’t think there’s a team in the state tournament that’s better than our team.”
The girls will play Waukee in the quarterfinal next Wednesday at 6:45 pm. Follow the team as they fight for the state championship on wsspaper.com and @wssathletics on Twitter.
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