The Parkland High School boys basketball team dropped three straight games last week, a rare losing streak for the two-time defending District 11 champs. The Trojans faced three quality opponents and all were away games

Last Tuesday, Dec. 10, Parkland fell to Whitehall 55-42. Three nights later the Trojans were taken down by Pocono Mountain West 61-48, and then this past Monday night, Parkland lost to Northampton 58-45. They opened the season winning three games in a row, but have now dropped three in a row.

In the game with the Zephyrs, Parkland was held to just six points in both the opening two quarters and found itself trailing 22-12 at halftime. Whitehall outscored them 21-14 in the third quarter to go on top 43-26 and then rode out the fourth quarter. Tyler Beck finished with a team-high nine points and both Blake Nassry and Cameron Hines tallied seven points. Javian Porter added six points.

Against the Panthers, Parkland fell behind early 17-8 after the opening quarter and then 36-23 at halftime. The Trojans pulled to within just 44-34 heading into the final quarter, but were unable to get any closer. Nassry recorded a team-best 13 points. Scott Bauer totaled nine points and Ryan Kearney contributed six.

At Northampton, just like in the two previous games, Parkland had to dig out of an early hole as it trailed 16-7 after the first quarter and 29-16 at halftime. Trailing 51-28 after the third quarter, the Trojans rallied in the fourth and outscored the Kids 17-7 in that final frame, but could not make it all the way back. TJ Lawrence led the offense with 10 points.

Parkland (3-3 overall, 2-3 EPC) will host Central Catholic on Friday night and then have a little over a week off for Christmas before playing in a holiday tournament at Widener University on Saturday, Dec. 28 and Monday, Dec. 30. The Trojans will play Friends Select and then Penncrest at the event.