MORGANTOWN — Eight different Warriors scored, including three players in double-digits, as the Trinity girls’ basketball team (6-2) downed Clay-Battelle (4-1) 73-46 on Wednesday night.
Jenna Barnett led the Warriors with 19 points on eight made baskets, including her first five shots, as Trinity jumped out to an early lead at 19-9 at the end of the first quarter.
Much of the same came in the second quarter as Clay-Battelle struggled against the defensive full-court pressure from Trinity and were outscored 22-9, making the score 41-18 at the half.
Despite the deficit, C-B head coach David Joyce said they knew what was coming.
“What they did was exactly what we were expecting,” Joyce said. “I would say we are a step slow, but I think Trinity is a step too quick. Their best defense was their offense.”
That extra quickness allowed Trinity to get out on the fastbreak often, allowing it to run a quick offense and score quickly. The Warriors attempted 71 shots to Clay-Battelle’s 50 attempts. Kyndel Kisner contributed 15 points, including three from long range, while Maggie Mercure tallied 12 points of her own in an all-around effort from head coach Mike Baldy’s squad, especially after losing guard Olivia Austin to a knee injury early in the third quarter.
Austin contributed six points and was very active on defense before being forced to leave the game.
“I honestly just can’t quit thinking about Liv,” Baldy said. “She hurt herself last year so hopefully it isn’t anything too serious. She is important for our team.”
Aside from his team’s effort on the ball, Blady had a lot of praise for the hustle of his players and how they are able to energize one another on the floor.
“SuCora [Brown] wasn’t shooting the best tonight,” Blady admitted. “But she probably had 10 or more rebounds out there. It’s important for us for SuCora to be out there. We just want some consistency from her.”
Liv Ammons scored 21 points for C-B despite the loss. Reagan Darling contributed 11 for the Cee-Bees. Joyce said his leading scorer was doing more than just putting points up in the game.
“They pressured her but what she did well was distribute the ball,” Joyce said. “She found the open shooter. Maybe we didn’t finish the best, but she’s gonna see that all year long.”
Trinity will host Charleston Catholic at home Friday and Clay-Battelle will meet Tyler County on Thursday.
By MICHAEL GRIFFITH
TRINITY (6-2)
Jenna Barnett 14 2-3 19 Kyndel Kisner 14 0-2 15 Ella Lynch 6 0-2 3 SuCora Brown 10
0-0 4 Olivia Austin 5 2-3 6 Avonna Brown 5 0-0 4 Maggie Mercure 8 2-2 12 Sophia
Pancoats 5 1-4 5 Katrina Hyde 2 0-0 3 Wimer 1 2-2 2
Clay-Battelle (4-1)
Raylee Hennan 2 2-6 4 Reagan Darling 8 1-1 11 Liv Ammons 20 6-10 21 Lydia Moore 6
0-0 2 Kenley Statler 11 2-2 6 Elyse Moore 2 2-2 2 Emily Cottrell 1 0-0
TRINITY 19 22 19 13 – 73
CLAY BATELLE 9 9 10 18 – 46
3-Pointers: TCHS – 8 (Kisner 3, Mercure 2, Barnett 1, Lynch 1, Hyde 1); Clay-Battelle – 3 (Ammons 3).
