Region IX play is heading down the final stretch, and tournament seeding is still far from decided. The Trojans are right in the thick of things, and a pair of wins this past weekend put them in a great position to host a first round playoff game in a couple of weeks.
The Trojans biggest win of the year may have come on Friday night as they topped the then 19-4 Western Nebraska Cougars 81-72. The Trojans rallied from an early 24-16 deficit to pull within three at the half. The game stayed close with 14 lead changes throughout, until the closing minutes when the Trojans were able to pull away. Rene Melendez provided a huge spark making a series of hustle plays on steals, rebounds and taking a crucial charge. He also finished with nine points and six rebounds. Tykeem Anderson continued to shoot well going 5 for 8 from behind the 3-point line for a game high 18 points. Teammate Trevell Cunningham also finished with 18 as he helped seal the win from the line late.
Saturday was sophomore day, as TSJC honored its five, soon to graduate players, Dominic Coleman, Melendez, Anderson, Charles Henderson and Job Alexander. The Trojans then took the court and took care of the Eastern Wyoming Lancers 94-77. TSJC led most of the contest with their biggest margin coming midway through the second half when a Henderson basket made the score 62-34. Henderson led the Trojans with 18 points and six rebounds.
TSJC has three games left and they are all pivotal for seeding in the playoffs. The Trojans are currently in third. They face the number four team Laramie County on Saturday, the current top seed Otero on Wednesday, February 21 and fifth place Lamar on Saturday, February 24 to wrap up the regular season.
Region IX South Basketball Standings
| Otero | 10-2 |
| Western Nebraska | 9-3 |
| Trinidad State | 8-5 |
| Laramie County | 8-5 |
| Lamar | 7-5 |
| North Platte | 5-7 |
| McCook | 5-7 |
| Northeastern | 4-10 |
| Eastern Wyoming | 0-12 |