BASKETBALL: Tough time for Trinity as teams win one out of four at JMA Christmas tourney

The Trinity basketball teams competed in John Milledge Academy’s Larry Prestridge Christmas Classic over the weekend, and came away with one win out of their four games. 

The girls lost both of their matchups, falling to Westfield 64-58 on Friday and losing to George Walton 61-50 on Saturday.  

The boys earned a split by avenging an earlier loss to the Hornets, 50-47, but couldn’t get it done Saturday against the Bulldogs as they fell 58-51.

The first time the Lady Crusaders and the Lady Hornets met, Trinity got a steal and a buzzer-beater to come away with the last-second win. This one was close as well, but not enough for a chance to replicate the magic. 

The score was tied at 19 after a quarter, and Westfield held a slight 32-29 lead at the half.

The Lady Hornets extended their lead a bit in the third, outscoring Trinity 13-8 to go up 45-37 after three.

Trinity played well offensively in the last eight minutes, scoring 21; however Westfield would close the game out by converting most of its free throws, and maintained a six-point lead. 

Brinley Vinson led Trinity with 25 points. Chloe Rozier added 14.

M.B. Brannen had 24 to lead Westfield. Mollie Gunningham had 15 and Daelyn Sumner added 12.

The Lady Crusaders couldn’t handle George Walton’s physicality, and were blown out twice last season by the Lady Bulldogs. 

They looked much better from the outset in this one, and played solid on both ends of the floor on the way to a 13-10 lead after a quarter. 

Unfortunately, George Walton would ramp up the pressure in the second quarter and the Lady Crusaders struggled to find answers. The Lady Bulldogs outscored Trinity 24-8 in the period to take a 34-21 halftime lead.

The offensive struggles continued in the third as the Lady Crusaders managed just nine points. George Walton scored 15 to take a big 49-30 lead to the fourth. 

Trinity recovered with 20 in the last quarter, but 12 kept the Lady Bulldogs in front by nine. 

Vinson led the way again with 21. Rozier had 13 and Maddy George added 11. The Lady Crusaders played without senior forward M.G. Alligood, who was injured in Friday’s game. 

Kennedie Cooper led GWA with 16, Kenzie Johnson had 15 and Lora Kate Malcom added 14.

When the Trinity boys and Westfield met in Dublin a few weeks back, the Hornets were able to break open a close game in the fourth quarter to pull away for a double-digit victory.

This time, Trinity did not fade under pressure.

The game was tight throughout as Westfield held a slight lead after 11-9 after one quarter.  Trinity got hot from the outside in the second quarter to outpace the Hornets 18-10 and led 27-21 at the half.

The third was a defensive battle, but Trinity still held a lead of 35-30 going into the fourth.

Both teams looked better offensively in the final eight minutes, but the Crusaders held serve and made enough free throws down the stretch to hold on for the 50-47 win.

Jagger George led the way again with 20 points, while Jamarion Ricks continued his solid play with 18. 

Kolbi Grooms had a solid all-around performance with a pair of clutch 3-pointers to go along with seven assists and five steals. Trinity hit six triples in the contest.

Ben Hulbert led Westfield with 13 and C.J. Watkins added 12.

Saturday’s game saw Trinity get off to a slow start offensively against a very athletic George Walton squad. 

The Bulldogs outscored the Crusaders 14-9 in the first and 15-11 in the second to lead 29-20 at the half.

Trinity got hot from the perimeter in the third quarter and outscored GWA 23-18 in the period to trail just 47-43 going to the fourth, and would score the first four points of the final stanza to knot the score at 47-47.  

Unfortunately the Crusaders would go cold again, and the Bulldogs closed the contest on an 11-4 run to win by seven. 

George again led the way with 23 while Ricks added 20 and eight rebounds. Trinity would connect on seven more 3s in the contest.

Jackson Wells had 19 to lead George Walton and Adrian Thomas added 18.

Trinity will be back in action after Christmas at a Tattnall Square-hosted holiday tournament. They will open against Stratford on Monday, then take on the host Trojans Tuesday afternoon.