The Trenton Lady Bulldogs suffered their first loss of the basketball season Thursday night. Three time defending champion Strafford downed Trenton 63-33 in the Girls Class 3 semi-final game.
Strafford jumped on top early with a 10-0 run to start the game, building a 22-9 lead at the end of the first quarter and 37-16 lead at halftime.
Strafford was hot in the first half, especially from the outside. They hit 7 of 11 from behind the three point line in the first half.
Trenton was led by Maci Moore and Ainsley Tolson with 11 points each. Salem Croy had six points and Mykah Hurley with five points. Four other Trenton girls played but did not score.
Hayley Frank led Strafford with 25 points and 14 rebounds, despite setting out three minutes of the second quarter when she picked up her third foul.
Strafford will try for their fourth straight championship and third undefeated season this afternoon when they take on Lutheran North, a 56-48 winner over Licking. Strafford won at Lutheran North on December 21st 64-55, Strafford’s closest game of the season.
Trenton will play Licking for third place today with a 12:50 tip-off.
In Class 3 Boys semifinals Vashon beat Charleston 70-47 and Springfield Catholic beat St Paul’s Lutheran of Concordia 71-41.
Class 1 and 2 state basketball semi-finals are today (Friday) in Springfield. In the KCHI area, Linn County of Purdin boys at 15-7 will play Jefferson at 26-4 at 4:30 this afternoon. The other Class 2 boys semi-final is Dora at 19-1 against St Elizabeth at 23-5.
Class 1 Girls has Stanberry at 26-3 against Community R-5 at 26-2 and Lakeland at 30-0 plays Walnut Grove at 26-5.
Class 2 Boys semi-finals has Plattsburg at 22-8 against Greenwood at 27-3 and Van-Far at 22-7 against Oran at 29-1.
Class 2 girls semi-finals has Mid Buchanan at 25-5 against Hartville at 27-4 and Clopton at 27-3 plays Thayer at 28-3.
