Troup tops Riverdale to make region championship game, earns home playoff game

Published 10:21 pm Thursday, February 15, 2024

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Troup pulled off another stunner on Thursday night, beating Riverdale 65-62, to book a spot in the region championship and earn its first home playoff game since 2012. It has been a remarkable run for the Tigers, who after losing four straight games coming into the region tournament, have now rattled off two wins with their season on the line and another on Thursday when the pressure was high.

In just his first season in charge of the program, Vacher Hammett has spearheaded an evolution that has seen the team go from missing the playoffs three years in a row to hosting a home playoff game.

Troup struggled to get anything going to start the game and subsequently trailed 15-7 after the first quarter.

The Tiger offense began to show signs of life in the second quarter, but they still trailed 29-22 heading to the locker room at halftime.

The third quarter was even more indecisive than the second as both teams scored 21 points and left Troup in a 7-point hole going to the final quarter.

The fourth quarter was all Troup however. The Tigers outscored the Raiders 22-12 in the final quarter to come away with a potentially program-altering win.

Jalen Brown was sensational all night, but it was even more evident in the fourth quarter when he took over the game. The sophomore scored 10 of his 21 points in the final period of play. 

Dee Moreland was also outstanding late, scoring 6 of his 18 points in the fourth. 

Troup has sent ripples throughout AAAA with its last couple of performances, but now have a chance to make tidal waves on Friday when the Tigers play either Whitewater or more than likely, powerhouse Fayette County for the region 4-4A championship.