Troy’s Makenzee Maschino heads down the floor for two points after making a steal against Greenville Wednesday at Troy.
Photos Provided by Lee Woolery
Troy’s Jovie Studebaker makes a move to the basket against Greenville’s Megan Lind Wednesday.
Photos Provided by Lee Woolery
Troy’s Madalynn Hughes puts up a 3-point shot Wednesday against Greenville.
Photos Provided by Lee Woolery
Troy’s Brynn Siler fires a pass inside against Greenville Wednesday night.
Photos Provided by Lee Woolery
Troy’s Amyannah Tucker goes up for two points Wednesday against Greenville.
Photos Provided by Lee Woolery
TROY — It seemed like the perfect plan for the Troy girls basketball team.
They front loaded their schedule with three non-conference games to start the season — including two GWOC schools.
The only problem was senior guard Macie Taylor — who signed with Wright State University — hasn’t played yet this season due to illness.
The result was an 0-3 start heading into the MVL opener with Greenville Wednesday night.
“We were looking to get a higher seed in the sectional,” Troy girls basketball coach Jeremy Hughes said. “We still have 20 points a game (Macie Taylor) sitting there on the bench.”
But, this stretch has not been without dividends — as other players have had to step up into more prominent roles.
And the Trojans were able to cash in on that against Greenville in a 50-29.
“Absolutely (it is going to make the team better in the long run),” Hughes said. “Jovie Studebaker played really aggressive tonight. She was active at both ends of the floor.”
Studebaker filled out the stat sheet with 10 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals.
And Makenzee Maschino had a career game with 21 points and five steals.
Maschino hit 10 of 12 shots from the floor, making her only 3-point attempt.
“That is the game I have been waiting for from Makenzee Maschino for a long time,” Hughes said. “She was aggressive — I don’t know how many steals she had — but she was aggressive on defense and had a great game. It was good to see.”
Troy scored the final five points of the opening quarter — on a 3-pointer by Madalynn Hughes and a Brynn Siler basket off a dish from freshman point guard Amyannah Tucker— to take a 15-9 lead.
After scoring the first four Troy points, Maschino added 12 points in the second quarter — with a combination of mid-range jumpers and strong play inside as Troy took a 34-16 lead at the break.
“I thought we did (played well in the first half),” Hughes said. “I thought our defense (recording 20 steals) was a big part of that.”
But, the one issue Troy has had showed up again.
The Trojans five points n the third quarter and 14 points in the second half.
“We have got to stop coming out so flat in the third quarter,” Hughes said. “The third quarter has been our bugaboo all season. Against Miamisburg, we were only a couple points down late in the second quarter.”
Tucker added 14 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals and Brynn Siler had six points and three blocked shots.
Kiyah Baker grabbed six rebounds.
Troy made 20 of 44 shots from the floor for 46 percent, including two of seven from 3-point range for 29 percent. The Trojans made 12 of 20 free throws for 6o percent and had 28 rebounds and six blocked shots, while turning it over nine times.
Troy will now face a challenge, hosting unbeaten West Carrollton Saturday to end a five-game homestand to start the season.
“They are coming off a win over Miamisburg,” Hughes said.
In other MVL games Wednesday night, Piqua and Tippecanoe suffered MVL losses.
Piqua lost to Vandalia-Butler 59-28 on the road and Tippecanoe lost to Stebbins 41-38 at home.
