WENTZVILLE • With an eye on the future, the Troy girls basketball team almost didn't take care of the present.
Knowing that a date with Class 5 District 6 top seed Fort Zumwalt West awaited the winner, Troy gave up a sizeable lead before holding on for the 53-45 semifinal win Tuesday.
"We had it in our mindset that we were already thinking about West," Troy senior center Erin Mennemeyer said. "I think we overlooked Holt to an extent. I think I just realized that I didn't want this to be my last game. We seniors kind of pulled together and showed some leadership."
Troy (18-8) had a rollercoaster ride in the first half. After the Trojans jumped to a 17-7 lead at the end of the first quarter, Holt came roaring back.
Behind the work of Julie Buckles—who had 11 first half points—and company, Holt (15-10) pulled even at 21 with just under a minute left in the first half.
A four-point run by the Trojans would give the team the lead at half.
"We forced some bad shots and got into early foul trouble, and that didn't help us," Troy coach Bryce Gregory said. "We talked at halftime that we were seeing Friday's game before we even got there. We were thinking too far ahead."
Troy, the district's No. 2 seed, got down to business to open the second half on an 11-5 run.
Jasmine Mathews scored seven of those points as she slashed her way to the baskets. She also added a 3-pointer later in the quarter to widen the lead.
"We built off some momentum," Mennemeyer said. "Some key plays are really what turned this around. Jas has been a key to our success this year. She really has boosted the momentum that gets us going."
A putback by Mathews early in the fourth quarter put Troy up 15, but the Indians roared back.
Holt hit four three-pointers in the fourth quarter and cut the lead to as close as six points before Troy closed out the game.
"I really thought we were going to do it," Holt coach Rich Binning said of the comeback attempt. "We hit some shots, but we just couldn't hold on to the ball when we needed to."
Mennemeyer led Troy with 20 points and added 14 rebounds.
Mathews added 19 points, and Hannah Henderson had eight points.
Buckles led Holt with 13 points.
The win means Troy and Zumwalt West will play in the district championship game Friday at 5:30 p.m. Zumwalt West defeated Troy 53-39 on the road Jan. 27.
Mennemeyer said she feels that the Trojans can succeed if they enter the game with, and execute, a plan.
"I know their big girls are going to be a big part of it," Mennemeyer said. "From the last time we played them, I know that watching the big girls inside and making sure we don't foul is going to be a big key.
"I think we just need to come in with the confidence that we can beat them. It doesn't matter how big or tall they are. I think if we get a run on them and get their big girls in foul trouble, we can do it."
