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Sports
By: Patrick Browne
CRYSTAL FALLS — The Forest Park Trojans started the year with a 6–0 record and looked unstoppable. Scoring seemingly at will, the team garnered victories easily by regular margins in excess of 30 points. With a solid cadre of upperclassmen and three talented freshmen who made the transition to varsity appear seamless, the question of an undefeated season arose on the lips of more than one fan.
Unfortunately, the Trojans first real test of the year came when they matched up against Division 2 powerhouse Kingsford, and just three days later had to play an equally tenacious Munising, last year’s Division 4 state champion.
In both games the Trojans demonstrated they are a contender, but both finished with Forest Park experiencing a loss.
In the most recent of the two games, the Trojans lost 47–46 to the Mustangs of Munising. The Trojans fought to the end, but were whistled for 24 fouls to eight for the Mustangs and were never able to garner sufficient momentum to take control of the game.
With Forest Park down by three and only seconds remaining, Kevin Giuliani scored on a perfect shot from inside the paint, the Trojans pressed the inbounds pass, but time expired before the Trojans could get another shot.
On Monday, Jan. 15 the Trojans returned to the floor against an opponent which has not seen much success this year. The 1–9 Rapid River Rockets were exactly what Forest Park needed to get back on line and they took full advantage of the opportunity by winning 91–43.
After two games of being pressed on every pass and challenged every trip up the court, the Trojans enjoyed a more relaxed style of play and scored 23 first quarter points to the Rockets 12. The second quarter saw 18 additional points credited to the Trojans and they had a comfortable 43–30 lead at the half.
With nine of the 10 Trojans scoring, the second half snowballed and Bark River simply couldn’t keep up.
Outrebounding their opponent 34–12, the Trojans made myriad second-chance points, sank nine three-pointers and outperformed the Rockets in nearly every offensive and defensive category.
The ‘Brothers Giuliani’, freshman Vic and junior Kevin, combined for 38 points, freshman Isaiah Tarter had a career high 13 and Senior Gaven Rintala pitched in 12 in the victory.