(TRINIDAD, Colo.) – Trinidad State has started the 2017-2018 season off in fine fashion, jumping out to a 7-1 record heading into Thanksgiving weekend. The Trojans have two road games this coming weekend before starting Region IX play on December 1 in McCook, Nebraska.
TSJC started the year in Hobbs, New Mexico with three games with quality opponents. They topped the hosts, New Mexico Junior College, 80-69 on opening night, beat New Mexico Military by three the next night and fell to Jacksonville College 91-85 in the third game. The following weekend in La Junta the Trojans defeated Northern New Mexico JV 119-59 and then held off a late charge from Sheridan College to win 87-85.
This past Tuesday the Trojans opened their home schedule with an 84-55 win over Adams State JV. In the contest every Trojan player scored. Freshman Issac Essein led the Trojans with 13 points and four rebounds.
This past weekend the Trojans hosted the 2017 TSJC Classic at Scott Gym. On Friday they faced Clarendon College out of Texas. The Trojans trailed the Bulldogs 41-36 at the half but after an early surge led most of the second half. A late comeback made it close but the Trojans held on for the 84-82 win. Sophomore guards Job Alexander and Dominic Coleman each dropped in 15 points to lead the team in scoring. Cole Lawrence pulled down six rebounds and Alexander finished with four assists.
Saturday's opponent was Northern New Mexico JV. The Trojans jumped out to a 40-2 lead and never looked back, winning by a final score of 94-41. Again, every Trojan would score in the contest.
Overall the Trojans are being led in scoring by Coleman who is averaging 13.4 points a game. Freshmen Trevell Cunningham and Jesus Martinez are also averaging double-digits. Charles Henderson has pulled down an average of 5.3 rebounds and Cunningham is averaging 5.5 assists and 2.3 steals a game to lead the team.
The Trojans will face Quakerdale Prep Academy and Frank Phillips College in Scottsbluff, Nebraska this weekend. They will then travel to McCook, Nebraska on December 1 to start region play against McCook CC. The next night they will face North Platte CC in North Platte, Nebraska. Finally, in their final games before the wither break, they will host Frank Phillips College on December 5 at 5 p.m. and Northeastern Junior College at 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 9.