For the second consecutive year, the Atlantic Trojans dropped their opening game of the season to the North Polk Comets, who pulled away for a 77-51 win on Monday night in Atlantic. A quick start made a big difference for the Comets, who dominated the game early. They played well in nearly every facet on their way to a 19-6 lead after one, and had a lead as large as 21 well into the second quarter. However, the Trojans battled back. Led by Kale Jensen, the Trojans trimmed the deficit to 14 at the half and trailed by as little as 10 in the third. However, despite playing their best stretch of basketball, it was not enough to overcome the lead the Comets had built as North Polk started to pull away late in the third.

Although the Comets played a good team game, it was two guys who did much of the damage. Jayson Slings led the charge (and the game) with 24 points, 17 of which came in the first half. Tommy Spieker wasn’t far behind, picking up 17. Both Slings and Spieker hit a pair of three-pointers in the first half in what was a good shooting half for the Comets. Despite the three-point shooting drying up later in the game, the production they had in the first half helped them survive a push from the Trojans.

On the flip side, Atlantic struggled early on offense. North Polk defended the interior very well and prevented the Trojans from getting inside. Jensen was the only Trojan to knock a field goal in the opening frame. The Trojans also struggled with turnovers from time to time; however, Atlantic started to find a rhythm in the second quarter. Their best stretch of basketball was from the halfway point of the second quarter until the halfway point of the third.  Jensen started to heat up on his way to a team leading 17 points, while Sawyer Terrell and Grant Petty combined for a trio of three-pointers. The Trojans were able to take a 21 point second quarter deficit and bring it down to as little as 10. However, they could never get over the double-digit hump as North Polk eventually found the momentum again. Head coach Dalton Franken was pleased with how his team battled, but also knows there is a lot of room for improvement.

This also holds true on defense.

Now 0-1 on the season the Trojans will be back in action on Friday when they head out on the road to face Glenwood.