Trojans advancing to substate

It was an absolute war until the very end, but the Turkey Valley boys basketball team gutted out a close back-and-forth victory over Janesville - who entered with a record of 19-4 - 42-37 in the district final game on Thursday night at New Hampton High School.
The Trojans held just a one-point advantage at 35-34 with three minutes to play, but they outscored Janesville 7-3 in the closing minutes to pull ahead for the win.
Neither team was able to generate much offense in the opening quarter, as TV led 7-6 after these first eight minutes.
Janesville had a strong start to the second quarter, jumping ahead 13-9 at the start of this frame, but the Trojans regained the lead and held a 24-23 edge at the half.
Much like the first period, both teams struggled to put the ball in the basket in the third quarter, but Turkey Valley was able to take a six-point lead into the final frame at 33-27.
The Trojans dealt with foul trouble for much of the contest, and starters Keegan Balk and Kannon Leuenberger both picked up their fourth foul at the beginning of this fourth period. 
This played a role in the Wildcats being able to come back and cut the deficit to a single point at 33-32, but the Trojans never relinquished their lead down the stretch and hit free throws in the closing moments to ice the game.
With this victory, TV advances to the substate game, where they will face No. 8 Lake Mills, who defeated West Hancock in their district final contest 62-29. This game will be played on Saturday at Charles City High School beginning at 7 p.m. The victor will earn a berth to the Class 1A state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.