Carrollton High School forward Brett Pierson had a game-high 44 points, while center Cawyer Davis had 10 points, including a game-tying shot at the regulation buzzer, but the Trojans heroics were not enough, as the 4th seeded Trenton Bulldogs survived an overtime battle on Tuesday night, 79-74, improving the Bulldogs to 7-6 on the season.
With the Trojans leaning heavily on Pierson to stay in the game, Trenton’s balance proved to be the deciding factor in the contest, with five Bulldogs in double figures, led by 23 points (21 after halftime) from Dylan Harris. Lathan Croy had 19, Kade Ockenfels 11, while Max McNabb and Carson Burchett both had 10 points for THS.
Carrollton, helped in the fourth quarter by Trenton’s missed free throws, outscored the Bulldogs 27-19 to force the extra session, with the game tied at 72. THS outscored Carrollton 7-2 in the final four minutes.
In Tuesday afternoon’s opener from Lawson, also broadcast on Hot Country Z 101.7, the Trenton girls, missing junior center Sidney Lynch with a sprained ankle, fought through the adversity of injuries and illness to decisively beat #8 seed Carrollton 68-17.
Lynch turned her ankle in practice on Monday, and was in street clothes and a walking boot during the game. Head Coach Brian Upton told KTTN that Sidney will likely be out for this week’s Lawson Tournament, although he did hold out hope that Lynch, depending on healing, could play in a Saturday game at the LHS gym.
Ainsley Tolson had 29 points to pace Trenton in the win, while Salem Croy added 13. The Lady Bulldogs, ranked #2 in the state in Class 3, are now 12-1 on the campaign, while Carrollton drops to 2-11.
The Penney Hornet basketball teams won the two late quarterfinals played at Lawson last night, with the Lady Hornets walloping Richmond, 52-18, while the Hornet boys took down rival Gallatin, 59-48.
The consolation semifinals from Lawson will be played tonight (Wednesday night), with the Richmond Lady Spartans playing West Platte at 4:30, the West Platte boys battling Carrollton at 5:45, the Carrollton girls dueling with the Lawson Lady Cards at 7 o’clock, followed by the Gallatin Bulldogs challenging North Platte in a 8:15 boys tip.
