BASKETBALL: Trinity gets one of two to start region play at Gatewood

The Trinity Crusaders opened their region slate last Tuesday with a trip to Eatonton to face off with Gatewood.  Both games were competitive throughout, but the girls fell short 53-47. Fortunately the boys were able to salvage the split with a 56-50 win.

The girls came in riding a three-game win streak, and jumped out to a 15-12 lead after the first quarter.

But the second quarter belonged to the home team as the Lady Gators scored 20 points. Trinity went cold from the floor, managing just seven in the frame, and trailed 32-22 at the half.

The Lady Crusaders would look much better on both ends in the third quarter, and held Gatewood to just seven while scoring 16 of their own to cut the deficit to just 39-38 going to the fourth.

The final period was a foul fest, and the Lady Gators went to the charity stripe a dozen times. They would only convert four of those free throws, allowing Trinity to stay close. Unfortunately, the Lady Crusaders couldn’t make enough buckets down the stretch.

Maddy George led Trinity with 16 and Brinley Vinson added 13. A night after joining the 1,000 point club, M.G. Alligood chipped in with nine. Trinity made seven 3-pointers, but only went to the free throw line five times all night.

Natalie Sills led Gatewood with 14. Ellie McMillan had 12 and Avery Hill added 10.

The Lady Crusaders fell to 12-6 on the season, but this marks their first loss to a team not ranked in the top three of a higher classification.

The boys game was also a rollercoaster as both teams traded leads throughout the contest. Trinity was shorthanded without Jamarion Ricks and Jude Evans who were out with illness and injury, but showed some resilience to overcome those losses.

The Crusaders trailed 15-13 after one, but outscored the Gators 18-12 in the second to take a 31-27 halftime advantage.

They went ice-cold in the third, managing just nine as Gatewood put up 14 to take a slight lead, 41-40, headed to the fourth.

Jagger George took over in the last quarter, and refused to let the Crusaders fall again. The sophomore point guard outscored Gatewood 13-9 by himself in the period, and Trinity put up 16 overall to come away with the victory.

George finished with a career-high 33. Hayden Bowles and Carter Lee chipped in with nine points each.

Lake Ferman led Gatewood with 16 and Harrison Harper added 11.

The win snapped a five-game skid for Trinity overall, and in its rivalry with the Gators. The Crusaders are now 8-9 on the year.

Their squads were swept by Brentwood as they continued region action Friday night. Both are set to return home Tuesday to challenge Central Fellowship.