The Atlantic girls basketball team used stifling defense with strong scoring performances inside the paint to set the tone and push them to a 58-39 win over the Kuemper Catholic Knights on Friday in Carroll. The Trojans focused on feeding the ball to Katrina Williams near the basket and she delivered with 14 points in the first half.

Atlantic led by 15 at the end of the first quarter but held firm in the second, taking a 34-22 lead into half. The Trojans built the lead up to 22 by the end of the third and rolled to the win.

Katrina Williams led the way with 20 points and Paytn Harter added 19. Atlantic head coach Dan Vargason credited the way Williams and Harter played together.

Coach Vargason also noticed the focus his defense displayed throughout the evening.

The Trojans improved to 8-4 and will host Clarinda on Tuesday. Coach Vargason hopes to see even more intensity from his squad with their matchup against the Cardinals.

Kaylie Simons was the Knights leading scorer with 12 and Elsa Tiefenthaler chipped in 11. The Knights fall to 6-6 on the season and they will face East Sac County on Saturday.