MENDOTA – Mendota’s varsity boys’ basketball team couldn’t keep pace with Rockford Christian and dropped a 63-34 verdict to the Royal Lions on Feb. 10 at the MHS gym.

Christian zoomed out to a 21-7 first-quarter lead and never looked back. The visitors increased the count to 32-13 at the break and they owned a 50-30 cushion with three quarters in the books.

Only four Trojan players managed to dent the scoreboard, led by Krew Bond with 19 points. Rafa Romero also hit double figures with 11 markers.

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The Trojans hung tough with Byron before coming up on the short end of a 59-54 decision on Feb. 12 at the MHS gym. Mendota’s record stands at 1-3.

Mendota kept the contest close throughout the first half, trailing by six (15-9) after the initial stanza and 26-22 at the half. It looked as though Byron was going to take control in the third quarter when it led 45-34 heading to the fourth, but the Trojans clawed back.

Mendota was down by as many as 12 points in the fourth, but made a last-minute charge. Ted Landgraf and Bond knocked down back-to-back three-pointers to pull the Trojans to within four points (55-51) with 29 seconds left, but that’s as close as they could get.

Bond paced the offense with 20 points, while Landgraf closed with 10 tallies, including eight in the fourth frame. Josue Arteaga added eight markers.