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The Community R-6 boys led and then clawed back into Tuesday’s game against Cairo.
The Trojans fell too far behind in the second half before losing to their Central Activities Conference and Class 1 District 10 foe 68-52 at home. Cairo came away with 15 steals and knocked down eight 3-pointers.
The Trojans (4-11, 2-4 CAC) took an 8-7 lead in the first quarter before Cairo (8-8, 4-1 CAC) closed the quarter with an 11-0 run and cut their deficit to 28-21 in the second quarter before Cairo responded with a 7-0 run.
“We’re learning how to shorten those margins a little bit,” head coach Chris Ellersieck said. “I’m proud of my kids because it’s not easy getting your butt whipped every night and coming ba
Community hadn’t scored 50 points in eight straight games but snapped that streak against Cairo. Caden Thomas led the Trojans with 19 points and three 3-pointers, KaTavyn Wheeler followed with 14 points, four 3-pointers and four steals and Clayton Eikel had six points and seven rebounds.
“I don’t hamstring kids by telling them they take bad shots,” Ellersieck said. “I want them to take good shots and selective shots, but I want my kids to be bulldogs. I don’t want them to be afraid to shoot the basketball.”
Shaun Luecke led Cairo with 24 points, four steals and three 3-pointers, Ethan Snyder had 13 points and six steals, and Dorian Jones finished with 10 points and seven rebounds.
Ellersieck said the bench was shorter for Community in the second half after Jude Curtis jammed his thumb. He said Cairo took advantage.
“You’re kind of stuck playing a 2-3 zone,” Ellersieck said. “If a team is shooting well, you really have any other recourse.”
Brian Winkler is the head coach for the boys and girls program. That was evident as the boys used defensive pressure like the girls did in the previous game.
“He’s a good coach, they’ve got a good team and they shot the ball well tonight,” Ellersieck said. “We’ve just got to be more efficient on the offensive end and take a little bit better care of the basketball.”
Community hosts Paris with Faith Walk (10-5) at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
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