The very young Coldspring Trojans faced a steep challenge Friday night as they took on a senior-loaded Trinity Tigers squad in district competition.
Experience and discipline proved to be the difference, as Trinity controlled the tempo from the opening tip and never looked back on the way to a 69-42 win.
From the opening jump ball, the Trojans found themselves in an uphill battle. Trinity’s aggressive defense and disciplined execution held Coldspring to single-digit scoring in both the first and second quarters, as the Trojans managed just eight and six points respectively. Meanwhile, the Tigers built an early advantage behind strong senior leadership, taking a commanding 40-14 lead into halftime.
Despite the one-sided score, the Trojans continued to compete and adjust, working through multiple game plans in an effort to slow the Tigers’ momentum. As the game progressed and Trinity began rotating in underclassmen, Coldspring found more opportunities on offense, posting 14 points in both the third and fourth quarters.
Dacoryin Barnes led the Trojans with 13 points on the night and went 2-for-3 from the free-throw line. Lilly added 10 points, including a deep three-pointer, while Taylor Stuckey and Houston each contributed four points.
With the loss, Coldspring and Trinity now sit tied at 1-1 in district play. Onalaska continues to lead the district at 3-0, followed by Crockett at 2-1. Anderson stands at 1-2, while New Waverly remains winless at 0-3.
On Jan. 20, the Trojans notched a win with a 55-49 drubbing of New Waverly.
The Shepherd Pirates faced one of their toughest tests of district play on Jan. 20 as they hosted Hardin-Jefferson, the current No. 1 team in the district.
With Shepherd sitting in the No. 6 spot and still missing three key starters, the Pirates knew it would be an uphill battle from the opening tip, which played out in the final score of 93-42.
Hardin-Jefferson wasted no time setting the tempo, winning the opening toss and scoring within seconds as their high-energy offense went to work early. Shepherd battled throughout the night, but the depth, speed, and experience of the district leaders proved difficult to match.
Once again, the Pirates’ offensive anchor Brayden White drew constant attention from the Hardin-Jefferson defense. Double- and triple-teamed for much of the game, White continued to fight inside, finishing with an impressive 25-point performance. He was flawless at the free-throw line, going a perfect 10-for-10, a bright spot on an otherwise challenging night.
Chanse Alday provided a spark for Shepherd with six points, highlighted by a deep three-pointer from near midcourt that brought the home crowd to its feet. Benjamin Coyle added four points as the Pirates continued to compete despite limited numbers and constant defensive pressure.
