Start fast, stay fast.

That’s the plan, the goal for the Plains Horsemen basketball team from this point forward.

Plagued by poor starts all season, the Horsemen were bit twice more in that regard last week, falling behind Flathead Home School big early on the way to a 70-49 non-conference loss in Plains last Tuesday followed up by a 54-43 District 7B defeat in Troy Saturday.

Looking to break into the win column this week, coach Tyrel Allen and his Horsemen visit the rival Thompson Falls Blue Hawks Thursday in Plains’ only scheduled game of the upcoming week.

“It’s huge game for us, we are looking forward to it,” Allen said. “We need to put together a few wins these next few weeks if we want to make it to the divisional tournament.

“There is always a good atmosphere at these Thompson Falls-Plains games,” he added. "It should be a competitive game, just like it was last time. We just hope to start fast and stay fast this time around.”

The Hawks rallied from way behind to win in Plains only a few weeks ago, a favor that Allen and his boys would be glad to return to the Hawks in Thompson Falls Thursday.

Enjoying what Allen called “a fantastic night” in Troy, Cooper Meredith led the Horsemen with a double double of 19 points and 11 rebounds against the Trojans, Jarett Weeks added nine points, Ben Aldridge seven and seven rebounds, Eddie Siebert four, and Chase DePoe and Tristan Allen two apiece.

Thomas Guinard led Troy with 16 points and Carson Orr and Emerson added 10 apiece.

Individual scoring from the Flathead Home School game was not available.