The Atlantic Trojans boys basketball team completed the sweep of Nodaway Valley Saturday night to earn their first win of the season. The defense was stifling, limiting the Wolverines at every turn.  Offensively, Gavin McLaren had his best game of the season to lead the team, while Reid Woodward and Shelton Mualia also played a big part in the Trojans pull-away 62-31 victory.

The first few minutes of the first quarter were contested as Atlantic struggled to gain separation. After the Trojans scored the first points of the game, Nodaway Valley’s Ty Radin responded with a pair of threes to tie the game at 6-6. However, Shelton Mualia would take over the first quarter for the Trojans, using his size and athleticism to work his way into the paint. Mualia finished the opening frame with 8 points, helping the Trojans build a 17-10 lead.

The second quarter was the slowest for the Trojans as far as offense. However, the defense stepped up for Atlantic. The second was one of just two quarters in the game where the Trojans allowed less than 10 points. In the second quarter, the Atlantic defense allowed just eight points on four field goals. Offensively, Reid Woodward was able to use his size and strength to lead Atlantic in scoring with a pair of field goals. Grant Petty would add a 3-pointer to the tally to help build the lead to 30-18 at the half.

The third quarter was the Wolverines’ best quarter of the game. They were able to put up 12 points as Titus Hamer and Garrett Welsch were two of five Wolverines to knock down a field goal. However, the second half belonged to Gavin McLaren. With the help of some good ball movement and his work inside the paint, McLaren hit five field goals in the third quarter on his way to a 10-point frame.  In addition to Mclaren’s takeoff, Hunter Nelson added a three-pointer while Kinnick Juhl sunk his first field goal of the season to help give the Trojans a 17-point lead heading into the final quarter.

The fourth quarter was a little different. Atlantic would allow just a single point on a Hamer free-throw. McLaren would score seven more points in the fourth, including knocking down his second three of the ball game. Petty, Mualia, and Conner Johnson would all join the party with field goals. Atlantic’s defense was surperb and allowed the trojans to turn defense stops into points as they grabbed their first victory of the season. Head Coach Dalton Franken was not only impressed with the multiple players who played well offensively but also with the way his defense played.

After struggling against Clarinda Gavin McLaren rebounded with his best game of the season and Franken was proud of his effort.

The Trojans are back at home Tuesday when they faceoff against Kuemper Catholic. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 pm.