The Trenton Bulldogs opened their boys basketball season on Tuesday night, traveling to Gower to battle a East Buchanan team just 72 hours removed from having their football season end (Saturday at Monroe City). If there was any ‘basketball rust’ for the host Bulldogs, it didn’t show, particularly from the play of sophomore forward Ethan Kilgore, who scored a school record 49 points in a 70-36 win over THS.
East Buchanan dominated play in the first and fourth quarters, using a stifling half-court press, with athleticism and size to rattle the young Bulldogs early, jumping out 20-1 after one quarter. Kilgore began his night with a 14 point first quarter, adding 10 more in the third, 14 in the third, and 13 in the fourth quarter, including a put-back slam dunk in the final minute to set the new record.
While the start and finish were difficult for Trenton, the Bulldogs, particularly in the second quarter, were able to better handle East Buchanan’s pressure, and started to find success with half-court offense. While not necessarily threatening the East Buchanan advantage in the middle portion of the game, Trenton stayed within a 10 to 15 point deficit that had THS one run away from putting significant pressure on the lead. A 17-5 edge for East Buchanan in the final quarter swiftly ended any comeback hopes for Trenton.
Lathan Croy led Trenton with 10 points, with a three pointer, a pair of two-point shots, and 4 of 5 accuracy from the free throw line. Dylan Harris had seven points (all in the second quarter), with Max McNabb and Kade Ockenfels both chipping in five.
Noting that his team’s play was not indicative of the lopsided final score, Trenton Coach Jeremy Austin admitted that the East Buchanan press played a huge factor in the game’s outcome:
Coach Austin added that see saw both positives and negatives that the Bulldogs can bring into the practice gym, getting ready for next week’s Gallatin Invitational Tournament:
Trenton, the #2 seed in the Gallatin Tournament, will play #7 seed Gilman City (coached by former THS assistant Adam Clark) on Tuesday night at 6 from the Gallatin High School gymnasium.
