Trojans Girls Trample Colts

By Rosie Garschina

The Garden City Girls' Varsity Basketball team entered their game on Jan. 9 against the Calhoun Colts with an undefeated record of 4 wins and no losses. At the conclcusion of the game, the Trojans proved why they are ranked #1 in their conference, why they are the reigning champions, and why they hold this impressive record. Last year they had their best year in all of Garden City history with 20 wins and 1 loss and they hope to be as successful this year as they were in 1997 when they made it all the way to the county finals.

Freshman shooting-guard Bethany LeSueur, who's been on the team since seventh grade, was one of the starters in this game. Senior co-captain Lauren Bishar started as a forward, along with co-captain Erin Elbe. Alpine sophomore Nora Chulpsa was starting at center and fellow sophomore Ellie Weille was in the guard position. The team is led by head coach John Dell'olio and assistant coach John Hogan.

The first quarter, the Trojan were off to a great start and never looked back once. The first two points were scored when LeSueur made an astounding steal and was able to go for a quick lay-up. The quarter was a very aggressive one and consisted of many scrambles for the ball on the court floor. Several jump balls were given as a result. Forward Lauren Bishar was alive and scored nine of her thirteen points as she demonstrated her accurate shot from all points on the court. Erin Schoelle and Ellie Weille both racked in the points and LeSueur showed her excellent fade-aways and exceptional dribbling skills as Garden City took a 24 to 4 lead.

As the second quarter rolled around, Garden City established its belligerent defense and put tremendous pressure on every ball. The Trojans made several breakaways in the first half and were clever in their methods of doing so. At one point, a Calhoun player had the ball and was being pressed by senior co-Captain Erin Kutner, when LeSueur came around the back and snatched the ball to have a clean breakaway. She completed the game with eighteen points. The Colts didn't give in yet and still put up a fight, but their lack of aggressive guarding provided many three-point opportunities for Garden City's long shooters. The half ended with the Trojans leading by 31 points in a 44-13 game.

The Colts backed down in the third quarter and only scored five points as Garden City shone even more against Calhoun's lethargic defense. The Trojans' intensity eventually waned as they realized what the outcome would be and scored only thirteen points in the third quarter, but the Trojans' playing style in the first half gave them many fouls and inevitably forced them over the limit. The Colts did the same, but much later in the game. Calhoun made every attempt they could to pick up the pace, but were unsuccessful. Garden City led 57 to 18 when the fourth quarter began.

In the last quarter, the Colts gave in to Garden City and put in their second team. The final score was Garden City with 80 points and Calhoun with 24. Garden City walked off court with another win under their belts and are one game closer to repeating their previous achievements.