The Trenton Lady Bulldogs rallied from an early first-quarter deficit on Saturday afternoon, with senior point guard Ainsley Tolson hitting all 15 of her free throws and scoring a game-high 25 points, leading THS to the Class 3 Show-Me Showdown for the second time in the past three years, in a 50-35 win over St. Pius X at Lee’s Summit High School.
St. Pius, at 17-9 after completing their first season as a member of the Midland Empire Conference, jumped on Trenton early, taking a 7-2 lead over the Lady Bulldogs. Needing a spark offensively, Tolson took matters into her own hands. Tom Johnson had the call on Hot Country Z 101.7 and UClick TV:
Despite Tolson’s basket, St. Pius continued to control play, leading 14-9 after one quarter. However, the Lady Bulldogs were beginning to show signs of strength as the second quarter commenced. After a Tolson three-pointer pulled Trenton within two points (14-12), senior guard Mykah Hurley tied the game on a driving lay-up:
In a psychologically big moment for Trenton, junior forward Lexi Whitaker hit a turn around jumper late in the half, giving Trenton the halftime edge at 19-17. Of equal importance for the Bulldogs was the emergence of Brian Upton’s defense, with the Trenton coach slowing down the Warriors, utilizing a rarely-used zone to confuse St. Pius on the offensive end, with THS holding SPX to just three second quarter points.
Trenton continued to expand the advantage in the third quarter, with the combination of Tolson’s driving ability and the jump shooting of fellow senior Salem Croy paying off:
With the defense continuing to slow St. Pius’ best comeback attempts, Trenton began to sense victory, with a dynamic drive and finish by Whitaker giving Trenton a 9-point lead with just over two minutes to play:
All that remained was the countdown and the celebration in Lee’s Summit for the #2 ranked Class 3 team in the state:
Maci Moore, slowed by foul trouble, had seven points for the 26-0 Lady Bulldogs, with Croy and Hurley each scoring six. For St. Pius, Catherine Parrish had 14 points, with Alaina Malott adding eight.
Here is victorious Head Coach Brian Upton:
Up next for Trenton is a semifinal showdown with 31-0, Class 3 #1 ranked Strafford, after the three-time defending state champions routed South Callaway on Saturday afternoon in Bolivar, 73-31:
The Trenton vs. Strafford game will tip at 8:30 on Thursday night from JQH Arena in Springfield, with pregame at 8 o’clock on Hot Country Z 101.7, KGOZ on Tune-In Radio, and KTTNSports.com.
*Assistance in editing the play-by-play sounds credited to Jim Bligh of U-Click TV*
