Mike Ridaught
Tonight, the Trenton girls basketball team will host top-ranked Wildwood in a Class 1A showdown.
The visiting Wildcats, who are ranked No. 1 in the state in 1A, won last year’s meeting at home in overtime.
These programs are responsible for three of the last four Class 1A state championships. Trenton won the 1A state title in 2019, following Wildwood’s back-to-back titles in 2017-18.
Trenton, which is ranked eighth in the state in Class 1A, enters the game with a record of 16-2.
On Friday, the Lady Tigers defeated Class 4A Green Cove Springs Clay at home by 42 points.
Senior Samarie McHenry led three Trenton players in double figures with 18 points. She just missed a double-double with nine rebounds.
“Great effort on Friday night,” said Trenton coach Bryant Frye. “We started out sluggish and the bench came out and scored nine of 15 first quarter points. The starters then focused, and we played like we’re accustomed to.”
Junior Jordan Douglas was next with 15 points, followed by senior Janiyah King with 10 points. Junior Bri Becker added six rebounds, eight assists, and seven steals for Trenton, which will carry a six-game winning streak into the game.
McHenry leads the Lady Tigers in scoring (12.6 ppg) and rebounding (9.0 rpg).
Both teams have yet to lose to a Class 1A school.
The Lady Tigers lost at home to Class 2A University Christian (Jacksonville). They also lost at 3A Providence (Jacksonville).
Wildwood is 11-2 overall. They beat Class 5A Vanguard (Ocala) by 43 on Saturday.
Their two losses have been to higher classification teams—in overtime (3A No. 5 Tampa Carrollwood Day) and by five to 5A Lecanto.
They have balance with four players averaging nine points or more per game.
Sophomore Kailani Lindsey leads the team averaging a double-double (11.7 points and 10.8 rebounds per game).
“Wildwood comes in No. 1 in Class 1A and we look forward to playing them each year,” Frye said. “We’ve been playing them since 2015 and hope that our rivalry continues in the future. Coach Harrison and the Lady ‘Cats will be ready, and we are ready for the challenge.”
Trenton does have one starter out with COVID-19, but Frye is not worried: “We will move forward, and our attitude is ‘Next man up’.”
The tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday night. You can watch the game online at ThePrepZone.com via the NFHS Network.