With Ainsley Tolson cutting through the Chillicothe Lady Hornets defense for a game-high 23 points, the floor was left open for Trenton’s senior off-guard, Mykah Hurley, to dent the Lady Bulldogs ancient rival with deadly three-point shooting. Hurley did exactly that, hitting five three-point shots, including three in the first quarter, as part of a 17 point evening, as THS survived its strongest test of the season, winning 60-50 on Friday night, in girl’s varsity action broadcast on Hot Country Z 101.7.
The teams played a high-octane, offensively charged first quarter that saw the rivals trade basket for basket, until a late run, fueled by Hurley’s shooting, gave the Lady Bulldogs a 20-15 lead after eight minutes.
The second quarter saw the defenses adjust, with Trenton solving Chillicothe’s pick and roll strategy, while the Lady Hornets effectively shut out Hurley’s outside looks, as the hosts closed to within 26-25 at the half.
Trenton’s strongest overall play came in the third quarter, with the Lady Bulldogs going on a run to open up a double-digit lead, as Hurley hit two more three-balls, as Trenton extended the lead to 46-38 after 24 minutes.
The fourth quarter was highlighted by a furious Chillicothe run that brought the Lady Hornets to the brink of the lead, but an answer by the Lady Bulldogs that stopped the home team’s challenge for good.
With Trenton aiming to get some breathing room late, Tolson, instead of looking to score, instead used the dribble to penetrate the Hornets, using a bounce-pass to get the ball to Maci Moore for back-to-back baskets. Tom Johnson had the play-by-play call:
The Lady Bulldogs held on to improve to 6-0 on the season, heading into Tuesday’s Grand River Conference opener at Princeton. Moore, the standout sophomore, that, with the help of senior center Sidney Lynch battled the Hornet front line all night, had 14 points. Chillicothe, in falling to 3-2, was led by 16 points from Jordan Hibner, 11 from Laney Gaston, and 10 points from Kennedie Kieffer.
The early showdown on the girls basketball schedule for both teams brought a loud and boisterous crowd to the Chillicothe High School gym, in an atmosphere noticed by Trenton Coach Brian Upton:
Chillicothe’s next opponent will be the Macon Tigerettes. Lady Hornet Coach Darren Smith said, despite the loss, playing a team of Trenton’s caliber will continue the Lady Hornets goal of improving each game as they move into MEC competition in the new year:
Trenton’s boys looked poised to complete the rare Bulldog sweep of the Hornets, but the combination of Trenton injuries and a Chillicothe late-game shooting surge send the CHS boys to a 66-58 win, as the home team rallied from deficits of 30-27 at halftime and 41-40 after three quarters.
With the Hornets depth struggling with their ball handling against Trenton’s quick, rotating defense, Tim Cool’s leaned on the potent 1-2 punch of C.J. Pfaff and Westley Brandsgaard, who combined for 51 points (26 by Pfaff) in the win, sending the Hornets to 2-2.
Trenton played without starting guard Jaren Whitney, who suffered a sprained ankle in Tuesday night’s win at Marceline, and played the fourth quarter without starting forward Carson Radcliff, dealing with his own sprained ankle. The Bulldogs, in falling to 3-3, were led by Max McNabb with 16 points. McNabb fouled out with three minutes remaining in the game, adding to Trenton’s challenge of trying to gain the road victory. Dylan Harris hit 3 three-point shots as part of a 13 point night, while Radcliff had 11 for the Bulldogs.
Despite the setback, Trenton Coach Jeremy Austin was pleased with the Bulldogs efforts against their archrival throughout the Friday night road test:
Trenton’s doubleheader at Princeton on Tuesday night will be broadcast on KTTN FM 92.3, with the Bulldogs home games with South Harrison on Friday (December 14) on Hot Country Z 101.7.
The area scoreboard for Friday, December 7, 2018
GIRLS:
Grundy County 49, East Harrison 27
Schuyler County 55, Milan 54
Princeton 50, Mercer 37
Albany 55, West Nodaway 18
Pattonsburg 56, Gilman City 32
Scotland County 51, Putnam County 21
South Harrison 51, King City 42
Stanberry 71, Bishop LeBlond 26
Maryville 48, Worth County 38
East Atchison 43, North Andrew 34
Tina-Avalon 57, Keytesville 19
Rock Port 61, Osborn 49
BOYS:
Pattonsburg 70, Gilman City 22
Albany 68, West Nodaway 48
East Harrison 47, Grundy County 43
Mercer 54, Princeton 41
Rock Port 59, Osborn 22
Milan 54, Schuyler County 22
East Atchison 62, North Andrew 57
Putnam County 69, Scotland County 43
South Harrison 67, King City 45
Stanberry 46, Bishop LeBlond 37
Maryville 73, Worth County 43
