Tri-Center Falls in District Final to OABCIG, 68-58

Tri-Center Falls in District Final to OABCIG, 68-58 -

(2-25-25) – The task was just too tall for the Trojans.

Tri-Center couldn’t overcome the height of OABCIG and dropped a 68-58 decision in 2A-District 15 Final at the Palace in Harlan on Tuesday.

Rebounding was a big factor in the outcome according to Trojans Coach Chad Harder, but he was pleased with the effort of his players.

“They were big and talented and I said that coming in said it a tall task coming in. Our kids this has been all they just kind of do that work where we're barely not undersized, just a little bit, and they just battle.”

The Falcons used a 9-0 run in the 1st qtr to build a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. After getting several offensive rebounds to cut their deficit to just two at 18-16, a timeout by OABCIG would allow them to regroup and go their 2nd 9-0 run of the half so they could extend their lead to 11 at the break.

The lead would get as much as 19 in the 2nd half before the Trojans marched back and closed the deficit to 5 with chances to make it a one-possession game late in the 4th.

However, the defensive force by the Falcons was too much Tri-Center as Evan Hoffman held a personal block party with 7 on the game, including 3 late to preserve the win.

Despite the loss, Harder is optimistic about the team’s future as they lose just one player to graduation.

“We’re, obviously, super disappointed about this, but we're really excited about our returners.”

OABCIG got 20 pts and 10 rebounds from Hoffman, while Jaxx Dejean had 19. They’ll face Western Christian on Saturday.

AJ Harder led all scorers with 27 pts for the Trojans, including seven 3-ptrs. Tri-Center ends their season at 18-6.

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