The Trenton Lady Bulldogs, ranked #2 in the state in Class 3, withstood a strong challenge from Stanberry to win the Grand River Conference championship for the third consecutive season, 54-43 on Saturday night at South Harrison High School in Bethany.
Stanberry, the three-time defending GRC West champions, opened the game on a 7-2 edge, but Ainsley Tolson’s scoring and driving ability proved key to drawing Trenton back even at 11-11. Stanberry led 14-13 after the first quarter, with Trenton’s defense strengthening throughout the game, holding Stanberry to just 29 points the rest of the way, a giant key in Trenton improving to 19-0, handing Class 1, #4 ranked Stanberry just the season’s third loss (18-3).
Tolson led Trenton with 20 points, while Maci Moore added 13. For Stanberry, Lily Osborn had 15 points, Madi Sager 14, and Peyton Gage 10.
In dominating fashion, the GRC title, for the first time ever, went to the Milan Wildcats, as the Class 2, #2 ranked unbeatens hammered North Andrew 77-49. Ryan Dabney paced the ‘Cats with 29 points, with Hunter Shaw adding 15, and Dominic Dabney 11. Milan is now a perfect 21-0 on the season. North Andrew had Tanner McDaniel with 12 points, while Drake Simmons added 10.
In the 2nd place games, the Milan Lady Wildcats fell to Worth County, 61-52, while the Pattonsburg Panthers downed the Gallatin Bulldogs, 62-53.
The Princeton Lady Tigers were defeated in the third place game, falling to North Andrew 41-36. Alaina Officer had 17 points and Jentry Copple 15 for the Lady Cardinals. Princeton had 13 points from Lacie Lewis.
The Princeton boys won the 4th place game over King City, 67-39, behind 17 points from Austin Kelly. Preston Thomas had 13 and Logan Dunkin 10 for the Tigers. Collin Breckenridge had 17 points and Zach Poling 12 for the Wildkats.
Other scores from the first-ever “GRC Showcase” in Bethany were:
5th Place Girls: Gallatin 41, Braymer 31
5th Place Boys : Trenton 50, Stanberry 49
6th Place Girls : Pattonsburg 43, Putnam County 34
6th Place Boys : Putnam County 61, St. Joseph Christian 55
7th Place Girls : Polo 52, King City 43
7th Place Boys : Maysville 43, Braymer 27
8th Place Girls : South Harrison 62, St. Joseph Christian 47
8th Place Boys : Albany 47, Polo 44
