The Atlantic Trojans boys basketball team fell 81-29 Friday night in Carroll to the Kuemper Catholic Knights. The knights showed why they are considered one of the best 2A teams in the state of Iowa. Their pace was quick, their ball movement precise, their defense was hard nosed and they rarely missed an opportunity to score.

The Knights came out hot from the start, especially from deep. Kuemper Catholic hit back to back threes to start the game as a part of their 4 long balls in the opening quarter. Their defense was just as hot allowing the Trojans little room to operate. Grant Petty picked up the Trojan’s first points of the game via charity stripe in the final minute of the frame. Kuemper Catholic ended the first quarter without allowing a field goal on their way to 26-1 lead.

The rest of the game followed suit. Atlantic’s offense struggled to connect managing 28 points in the next three quarters. Gavin McLaren led the scoring for Atlantic with 7 points. Grant Petty, Sawyer Tarrell, and Vincent Meisinger all knocked down threes while Petty and Tarrell finished with six and five points respectively. Kuemper Catholic’s Brock Badding led the contest with 15 points. The Knights moved to 9-1 with the victory while the Trojans fell to 2-8 with the loss.

Atlantic will be back at home Tuesday when the take on Clarinda.