Prep boys hoops: Cage, Trinity get first win

Published 12:01 am Tuesday, November 20, 2012

FRANKLINTON, La. — Trinity Episcopal’s varsity boys’ basketball team was on the verge of dropping their second game of the season after being down by six points to Bowling Green School with approximately five minutes left in the fourth quarter.

But Tanner Cage and the Saints took control, going on a 17-3 run that turned a 37-31 deficit into a 48-40 victory over the Buccaneers Monday afternoon.

And that was after the Saints blew an 11-point halftime lead thanks largely to a third quarter in which they scored just two points.

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“The third quarter has been a problem for us. Fatigue has something to do with that being that some players were playing football,” Saints head coach Edwin White said. “The fourth quarter we went to a press. A lot of turnovers gave us some momentum at the end.”

Cage was a big part of the Saints’ amazing come-from-behind win as he led them in scoring with 21 points, including a pair of 3-pointers. Tommy McCoy had a solid game as he scored 11 points while Garrett Vinson made one 3-pointer and chipped in with five points. Brandon Brooks had what White called his best game of the young season as he pulled down nine rebounds to go with four points.

“Tanner played an emotional, physical, very up-tempo game. His presence alone made a difference,” White said. “I think (Brooks) finally understands his role and as time goes on, he’s going to get better and better.”

For the most part, Trinity played well on both ends of the court. But there was one player for Bowling Green the Saints had a difficult time guarding, and that was Mack McEleeven, who made five 3-pointer and finished with a game-high 26 points and almost led the Buccaneers back from a 28-17 deficit at the break.

“We played a very good defensive game. We did a good job of blocking out on second-shot opportunities,” White said. “We have a good bench. We can start five and then put in five. The last couple of years, we were only seven- or eight-deep. Now we’re 10 or 11 deep.”

Trinity Episcopal (1-1) next plays at Silliman Institute on Tuesday, Nov. 27.

Copiah Academy 59, ACCS 52

NATCHEZ — Copiah Academy outscored ACCS in each of the first three quarters and held on to beat Adams County Christian School Monday night.

“We had opportunities, and we didn’t capitalize on them. They had opportunities and they did capitalize on them,” Rebels head coach Richy Spears said. “No. 23 (Quick), he’s a good post player. We didn’t have an answer for him inside. We didn’t give a three. They just beat us inside.”

Ty Quick had a game-high 23 points for Copiah, which led 46-36 at the end of the third.

ACCS (0-4) was led by Trey Fleming with 13 points while Ryan Strong and Tyler Stockstill had 10 points each. The Rebels host Bowling Green School today.

Centreville Academy 62,

Amite School Center 31

CENTREVILLE — Corey Gauledn led a balanced scoring attack for Centreville Academy as the Tigers gave first-year head coach Mike Swindle his first win as they used two big quarters to defeat the Amite School Center Rebels Monday night.

Michael Keith scored eight points while Jake Darden, Dustin Williams, Cody Peak and Matt Darden poured in six points each for Centreville, which jumped out a 26-4 lead after one quarter of play and then outscored Amite School Center 18-4 in the third quarter for a commanding 47-18 advantage. The Rebels were led by Clayton Causey with 11 points and Corey Kelton had nine points.

Centreville Academy (1-1) makes a visit to Natchez to take on Cathedral on Monday, Nov. 26.