On Saturday afternoon the Cambridge Trojan Boys Basketball Team had the chance to qualify for the NSAA State Basketball Tournament for the first time since 2006. They were battling in the D1-3 District Final versus 3 seed Ansley/Litchfield and the Trojans came in as the 14 seed. A tough defensive effort from the Spartans forced the Trojans to struggle on offense, resulting in a 46-23 win for Ansley/Litchfield.
The Spartans came out with their 3-2 zone and caused the Trojans fits from the very beginning. They would often drop the defender at the top of the zone to the free throw line once the ball was swung side-to-side. The Spartans led 11-2 after the first eight minutes.
The Trojans struggled to break down Ansley/Litchfield zone, and the Spartans were steady on offense in the second quarter. Cambridge was down 23-6 going into halftime.
Out of the half, Cambridge began to find a little a little rhythm on the offensive end scoring nine points in the third quarter, but so did Ansley/Litchfield. Cambridge trailed 32-15 going to the final stanza. In the second half, Cambridge ran a press which caused some problems against the Spartans, but it was too little, too late.
Ansley/Litchfield found success on offense being ultra patient and working to get their best shot. Luke Bailey led the Spartans with 22 points and Zach Loy put up 14. As a team, they hit only three three-pointers but hit a number of mid-range jump shots.
Cambridge was led by seniors Carson Trompke with seven points and Ben Hoberty had seven also. When the Trojans found good shots, they struggled to convert on those open looks.
Cambridge ends the season at 15-11.
Ansley/Litchfield qualified for the NSAA State Boys Basketball Tournament. It’s back-to-back state appearances for the Spartans. They are 20-3 on the season.