Trojans toppled by Clippers

TIFFIN — Monday nights Class 3A Substate 5 first round matchup between Fairfield and Clear Creek-Amana marked the end of the road for the Trojans this season.

Efficient shooting from outside and the free-throw line by the Clippers did the Trojans in 68-54.

“They’re a veteran team, and they played like seniors,” Fairfield head coach Mick Flattery said.

It’s now the third year in the row that the Trojans have been knocked out of the playoffs in the first round.

Fairfield never led in the contest.

The Trojans kept it close throughout the first quarter, as a Max Weaton lay in made it a three point game, 14-11, but with 1.2 second left on the clock the Clippers scored to take a five point advantage.

In the second, a shot at the end of the quarter hurt the Trojans once again.

Fairfield got down by as much as nine before bringing it back to within five, 29-24. It was looking as the Trojans were going to hold the momentum heading into the locker room, but a five point spurt by the Clippers which included a deep three at the buzzer made it a 10 point game, the largest lead of the game.

“Every time we came down court, we’d give them some run outs and they were able to get some easy baskets,” Flattery said. “We weren’t able to get many stops in a row.”

Although the Clippers ended the half on a high note it was the Trojans who came out swinging to start the third.

The Trojans brought the game back to within four points, 40-36, with a 12-6 run ending at the 2:02 mark.

“I was really proud of how our kids battled back,” Flattery said.

For Fairfield, the four point deficit was short-lived as the Clippers ended the third with an 8-3 run, which included yet another shot at the buzzer. The Trojans now trailed by nine heading into the fourth, 48-39.

Nine points is as close as the Trojans would come for the rest of the contest, as they struggled on the offense end to begin the fourth. Fairfield got an early two from JJ Lane in the quarter, but didn’t score again until the 4:38 mark.

Clear Creek-Amana outscored Fairfield 20-15 in the fourth to send the Trojans home with a loss.

“This team has taught me more about myself more that I thought it ever would,” Max Weaton said. “We fought back the last six of eight, and we end 10-12, compared to my freshman year, 2-24. I’m excited to get back in the gym and weight room next week with the guys and get back after it.”

The Trojans got 19 points from Weaton in the contest. Tate Allen finished with 13. JJ Lane added 11. Evan Haines ends his high school career with seven. Ryan Higgins and Sam Weaton each had two.

Fairfield ends its season with a record of 10-12.

“I’m really proud of these kids,” Flattery said. “When they were 4-10, they could have hung it up and quit, but winning six out of the last eight, I thought that was really good for these kids. We’ve got three really great seniors, in Evan, Ethan (Hunger), and Joey (Valdez). If the young guys put in the work, they can be like this team and move on.”