BASKETBALL: Mixed results for Trinity vs. Loganville, Piedmont at JMA Christmas tourney

The Trinity basketball teams played their final two contests of the 2024 calendar year with a couple of games in the John Milledge Larry Prestridge Christmas Classic this past weekend. 

The Lady Crusaders avenged an early-season loss by defeating Loganville Christian 52-41 on Friday, but fell to defending AA state champion Piedmont Saturday, 78-67.  The boys continued to struggle playing a complete four quarters, falling 66-49 to Loganville on Friday and to Piedmont 53-45 on Saturday.

Girls

The Lady Crusaders traveled to Loganville last month and were throttled by the Lady Lions, losing by nearly 30.  They played much better this time around.

Trinity fell behind big early and never recovered in the first matchup.  This time they came out of the gate much stronger and led 13-12 after a quarter.  They would win the second period as well, 13-11, to take a slight lead, 26-23, at the half.

One of the biggest keys to the Lady Crusaders’ success during their winning streak has been strong play out of the locker room. That pattern held true in this one as the defense came up big holding Loganville to just seven third-quarter points.  They would score 16 of their own to take a double-digit lead into the fourth at 42-30.  

The last quarter was nearly even again, but Trinity was able to hold on for the solid win.

Sahai Cyrus led Loganville with 16 and Dachelle Lucas added 11.

Brinley Vinson had 24 and Maddie Grace Alligood added 16, as Trinity ran its win streak to seven straight.

Saturday’s contest matched the Lady Crusaders against a Piedmont squad that has played in three-straight state championship games, and won the last two.  The game had the feel of a late-season matchup as both teams brought their A-game.

Piedmont’s dynamic duo of Marissa Holder and Kylee Keck made two 3-pointers each in the opening quarter as the Lady Cougars took an 18-12 lead. 

They would somehow be even hotter in quarter No. 2 with five more triples, and scored 18 again.  Trinity kept pace with 17 in the stanza, trailing just 36-29 at the half.

Again, the Lady Crusaders made solid halftime adjustments and exploded for 26 third-quarter points. But the defense wasn’t nearly as effective as it had been on Friday as the Lady Cougars scored 20, and still led 56-55 after three.

Holder and Keck were able to put the game away in the fourth. The duo combined for 15 in the final eight minutes, over which Piedmont outscored Trinity 22-12 as a team.

Maddy George led Trinity with 23.  Alligood finished with 16 and Vinson added 15.

Holder led Piedmont with 36 and Keck added 25.  They hit seven 3s each, and doubled up the Lady Crusaders in scoring from behind the arc.

The loss snapped Trinity’s 7-game win streak, and makes the Lady Crusaders 8-6 on the year.

Boys 

The Crusaders struggled mightily the first time they played Loganville last month as well, and were also beaten by nearly 30.  

They would fall behind early again in this one. Trinity trailed 19-12 after one quarter and 37-24 at the half, as the game appeared to be heading for another blowout.

However, the Crusaders would battle back in the third.  They tightened up the defense and caught fire from the perimeter, draining five 3-pointers in the quarter and outscoring the Lions 18-10 in the period to cut the deficit to just 47-42 going to the fourth.

Unfortunately, the hot third didn’t carry over into the final eight minutes.  Trinity managed just seven more points while Loganville put 19 on the board to pull away.

Ben Castro-Poveda continued his solid season with 16.  Anthony Frank-Woji had 13 and Jag George added a career-high 12.

Trey Neal led the Lions with 19 and Jackson Presser had 14.  Loganville finished 14 of 17 from the foul line, while Trinity was just 4 of 8.

Saturday’s contest with Piedmont was a microcosm of how the Crusaders’ season has gone so far this year.

The first quarter was good offensively, as Trinity managed 16 points. The defense was not great, as they also allowed Piedmont to score 16 and the score was tied after one.

Trinity looked completely out of sync offensively in the second quarter, and managed just six points. The defense did play better, holding the Cougars to just 11, but the Crusaders trailed 27-22 at the half.

Offensive struggles continued in third quarter, as Trinity couldn’t make shots.  The Crusaders were outscored 16-6 and trailed by 15 going to the fourth, 43-28.

Frank-Woji finally got the offense going some in the final quarter with eight points. Trinity outscored the Cougars 17-10 in the stanza, but the deficit was too much to overcome.

Chase Taylor led all scorers with 22 for Piedmont, and Corbett Crews added 17.

Frank-Woji was the only Crusader in double figures with 14. Trinity made just two 3-pointers on the day, and none after the opening quarter.

The Crusaders fall to 0-12 on the year.  Both teams will be back in action on January 2 at home against John Milledge.