The Trenton Bulldogs, by no stretch of the imagination, played their best basketball on Friday night, but THS caught a couple of late-game breaks to hold on and win at Maysville, 50-49, evening their Grand River Conference record at 2-2, while dropping the Wolverines to 1-3.
The Bulldogs rode the scoring dominance of senior small forward Lathan Croy, who lit up Maysville for 32 points on the night. Trenton enjoyed a 16-6 lead after the first quarter, although the hosts, on Courtwarming night, cut the lead to 27-19 by halftime. In the third quarter, Trenton, with Croy scoring all 16 of the Bulldog points, extended the advantage to 43-33.
Turnovers hurt Trenton multiple times in the fourth quarter, with the Wolverines, turning up the pressure defense in the final three minutes of regulation, noticeably rattling the inexperienced Bulldogs.
With 11 seconds remaining, Trenton Coach Jeremy Austin was whistled for a technical foul for arguing a traveling violation against his team, and for being out of the coaches box. Maysville hit one of two free throws to cut the lead to one, and had a chance to win the game, but a lay-up off dribble penetration and a pass by Austin Shirk banked off no good, and Trenton held on to the 50-49 win.
Carson Radcliff had six points, with Hunter Dugan and Carson Burchett both scoring four for Trenton. Shirk had 27 points and Keegan Flinn nine for Maysville.
The opener of the GRC East doubleheader was not nearly as stressful for the visitors from Trenton, as the Lady Bulldogs deep and talented squad overwhelmed Maysville, winning 66-8. Ainsley Tolson led THS with 17 points with Salem Croy adding 10. Trenton, ranked #2 in the state in Class 3, is now 10-1 on the season, 4-0 in the GRC East, while Maysville drops to 3-7 overall, and 1-3 in conference play.
The games from Maysville were broadcast on Hot Country Z 101.7. Elsewhere in the GRC East, the Princeton girls and South Harrison boys claimed wins in action from Bethany, heard on KTTN FM 92.3.
The Lady Tigers of Princeton won at South Harrison, 67-50, as Payton Goodin scored 17 points, Jaelyn Thomas 15, and Lacie Lewis 15 points. The Bulldogs tipped the tables on Princeton in the nightcap, winning 64-61. Treyton Campbell led South Harrison with 23 points, Brandon Haffey 13, and Cody Weller 13 points. For the Tigers, Blaine Millburn had 19 points, Andrew Smith 12, and Calvin Berwanger 11 points.
The Grundy R-5 girls rolled up 88 points in a forty point road win (88-48) at Northwestern of Mendon. Morgan Axtell led the Lady Panthers with 26 points and 10 assists; Jandie Peterson had 18, Aubrey Gann 14, Mady Williams 13, and Anna Milazzo 13 points for Grundy R-5. The Northwestern boys beat Grundy R-5, 78-52. Caden Gann had 20 points for the Panthers, with Jonathan Stimpson adding 14 points.
Here are the other scores, area-wide, from Friday, January 5, 2018:
GIRLS:
Stanberry 64, St. Joseph Christian 29
Gallatin 56, Polo 13
Jefferson 60, Osborn 17
Hamilton 60, Plattsburg 43
North Harrison 61, Tri-County 32
Milan 70, Meadville 43 (Marceline tournament consolation semifinal)
Lathrop 55, West Platte 35
Mid-Buchanan 70, East Buchanan 42
North Platte 43, Lawson 33
Lafayette 41, Maryville 36
Benton 47, Smithville 43
Worth County 45, Braymer 26
Chillicothe 48, LeBlond 18
King City 42, Albany 25
North Andrew 75, Pattonsburg 7
BOYS:
LaPlata 81, Linn County 48
Mid-Buchanan 37, East Buchanan 33
Polo 57, Gallatin 46
Worth County 71, Braymer 36
Hamilton 56, Plattsburg 51 (OT)
St. Joseph Christian 63, Stanberry 48
Lathrop 55, West Platte 30
North Harrison 71, Tri-County 50
King City 50, Albany 46
North Andrew 57, Pattonsburg 33
North Mercer 72, Newtown-Harris 18
Lawson 45, North Platte 40
