CASSTOWN —The National Trail Blazers were unable to maintain momentum after the team picked up its first win of the season against Centerville (Indiana) by falling to undefeated Miami East, 82-25, on Tuesday, Dec. 22.

The Blazers traveled the long journey to Miami East and the night only got longer as the Vikings remained undefeated on the season by jumping out to an early 14-point lead after the first quarter.

In the second quarter the Blazers only managed four points and the Vikings extended the lead to 37-10 before halftime.

The lead was 50 with Miami East up 65-15 after three quarters as the Vikings scored 28 in the third frame. The final frame was only a formality and the Vikings went on to win 82-25.

“Miami East is very, very good,” National Trail head coach Mike Harrison said afterward. “We were going to have to be hitting on all cylinders and shooting the ball extremely well to compete with them.”

The Blazers did not shoot well in the game as they only shot 21 percent, including only eight percent from three against the Vikings’ zone defense. The zone defense also caused the Blazers to commit 21 turnovers in the game.

As a team, the Blazers were out-rebounded 35-25 with Weston Haws leading them with seven rebounds.

Travis Hunt led the Blazers with seven points.

According to Harrison, his team will look to put the game behind them. “They beat us soundly in every facet of the game,” he said. “We have to put this one behind us and not let this game affect us during upcoming games as well.”

The Blazers will look to rebound on Wednesday, Dec. 30, when they take on Randolph Southern from Indiana. National Trail is now 1-7 on the season and 0-3 in the Cross County Conference.