By Drew Terhall

DailyAdvocate.com

UNION CITY — The Trojans went to Mississinawa Valley and defeated the Blackhawks, 57-33, on Dec. 20.

It was a game where Arcanum’s leading scorer, senior Nick Sharritts, was not available for the whole game. Sharritts got into foul trouble.

His teammates were able to make up the production lost on the court without Sharritts.

“Our kids played really hard and played great defense. We overcame Sharritts getting in foul trouble by everyone stepping up and contributing,” head coach Roger McEldowney said.

The game was tied at 13-13 after the first quarter. Mississinawa Valley senior Drew Anguiano had six points in the first quarter.

After that, it would be all Arcanum. The Trojans went into halftime up 29-15. They were able to claim the lead and keep it.

Mississinawa Valley head coach Nick Hamilton said the team will learn from this game. The Arcanum defense just became too much for the Blackhawks.

“Our offense stalled in the second quarter and we stood around a lot. The boys gave great effort, things just didn’t fall our way,” Hamilton said.

The Trojans grew their lead in the third quarter as they went into the fourth quarter up 44-23. Arcanum freshman Regan Christ had seven points in the third quarter. He had nine points in the first half after averaging 8.5 points a game so far this season.

The Trojans were able to score double-digit points in all four quarters of the game. They were coming off a 56-28 loss to Tri-Village on Dec. 16. McEldowney had a feeling his team would put that loss behind them after this week’s preparation.

“I knew our kids would bounce back. They practiced well and were really focused,” McEldowney said.

Christ ended the game with 18 points to lead Arcanum. Senior Garrett Garno had 11 points in the game. Sharritts did have nine points.

For the Blackhawks, senior Matt Pisano finished with 12 points. Anguiano was second on the team with seven points.

Arcanum is now 3-4 on the season with a 1-3 conference record. They will host Waynesville on Dec. 23.

Mississinawa Valley will have some time to get healthier and play in the Franklin Monroe Holiday Tournament on Dec. 28. They are 1-5 on the season with a 1-3 conference record.

Hamilton said the team is playing with intensity. They just have to nail down some of the smaller things.

“The boys are playing hard and with passion and lots of effort,” Hamilton said. “We just have to work on the small things in the game.”

Contact Daily Advocate sports editor Drew Terhall at [email protected]