TRINIDAD, Colo. (March 10th, 2023) – The Trinidad State College men's basketball team saw one of its best seasons in program history as the Trojans finished with a 20-7 overall record which included 12-0 in Region IX play.
The Trojans opened the season at preseason No. 16 Seward County in Liberal, Kan. The Trojans gave up the most points in a game all season in a tough 106-94 loss. The team bounced back with back-to-back wins at the Otero Classic against Fort Carson (89-74) and Nationwide Prep (80-40).
Another test for the Trojans came the following week as the team welcomed No. 21 Seward County back for a rematch followed with RV Dodge City in the Trinidad Classic. The Trojans fell to Seward, 81-77, and in OT to Dodge City, 82-79.
The Trojans took some time to find themselves and establish a rhythm as the team would go 2-4 in the next four games and hold a 4-7 overall record. After a devastating loss to Navajo Tech, The Trojans traveled up to Sterling, Colo. for matchups against Casper and Western Wyoming. The Trojans walked out with a pair of wins, in what would be the start of a 16-game winning streak and a perfect 12-0 in league play. The streak included a 33-point win over North Platte and 25-point win over Otero - both games played at Scott Gym.
"The 16-game win streak to go along with undefeated in region play is a remarkable accomplishment for our team," Head Coach Mike Folda commented. "We couldn't have done it without each other, and it reveals the selflessness from our group. I couldn't be prouder of these young men, but we still have a lot of work to do in the tournament."
The Trojans averaged 81.6 points per game, the most in Region IX-South, while only giving up 71.1. The team shot 47.5% from the field and 36.8% from deep while averaging 38.9 rebounds and 14.3 assists per game. The Trojans held its opponents to 42.9% shooting percentage.
Offensively, the Trojans were led by Dejour Reaves (So., Syracuse, N.Y.) who led Region IX in scoring at 23.1 points per game. Reaves also finished sixth at 2.8 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game. Dejour surpassed 1,000 points in his two seasons with the Trojans in the last game on his home-court and last game of the regular-season against McCook on Feb. 25th.
"Dejour has been a special player for us for two years," Folda continued. "He does so much more than just score the ball. 1,000 points on his career at TSC is an outstanding accomplishment and speaks volumes to the work he has put in."
Jailen Bedford (So., Hutto, Texas) finished with the second-best shooting percentage from deep in the region at 44% while averaging 16.7 points a contest. Finn Laley (Fr., Hamilton, New Zealand) and Keliese Frye (Fr., Cincinnati, Ohio) both averaged 9.6 points.
The Trojans will graduate seven sophomores in Bedford, Reaves, Tripp Beatty (Valdosta, Ga.), Olson Nicholson (Pittsburgh, Pa.), Evan McMinn (Fountain, Colo.), Tasontai Brown (Aurora, Colo.), and Joshua Wyatt (Aurora, Colo.).
The Trojans defeated Western Wyoming last night, 80-57 in the second round of the Region IX Tournament and will take on Northwest Wyoming tonight. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 pm MT.