NATCHEZ — The Trinity Lady Saints did not open up District 5-AA play on the right foot Friday night at home against Columbia Academy.

Columbia Academy took control early in the game, and Trinity was unable to score in the first quarter. The Lady Cougars led 24-0 at the end of the first and then cruised to a 60-25 victory.

“We have a long way to go,” Trinity head coach Richy Spears said. “We have got to understand the game of basketball.”

The Lady Saints offense struggled with turnovers most of the night and did not make a shot from the field until approximately 30 seconds were left in the first half.

The Lady Saints were able to get to the free throw line in the second quarter and scored seven points from the line, but they trailed 42-9 at the break.

Trinity came out and played better in the third quarter and outscored Columbia 10-9 in the period.

Columbia came back and won the fourth quarter 9-6 to secure the 35-point win.

Spears said his team is struggling to put all the offensive aspects of the game together on each possession.

“We are not doing all of it,” he said. “We might see (the right pass) and then drop the pass, or we might get the pass and then miss the shot.”

 

Trinity’s Abbey Ashmore was able to get some shots to fall for the Lady Saints. She led the team with nine points. Rosie Woods scored six points for Trinity with all six coming on free throws in the second quarter.

Sophomore Caitlyn Upton added five points for the Lady Saints.

Columbia had three players in double figures on the night as Jacklyn Wilkes and Meredith Bass each netted 11 points, while Greta Carley added 10 points.

Dianna Hobgood grabbed 10 rebounds for Columbia Academy.

“Columbia is a good basketball team that is well coached, and they execute,” Spears said.

The loss dropped Trinity to 4-5 on the season and 0-1 in district play. They will travel to face Porter’s Chapel today.

Trinity boys 60,

Columbia 39

The Trinity boys’ team had little trouble securing its first district game of the season when it faced Columbia Academy Friday night.

The Saints jumped out to a 39-25 lead by halftime and then played keep-away from Columbia for much of the third quarter.

Trinity scored just two points in the third but was able to maintain a nine-point lead heading into the final period.

The Saints took over in the fourth by scoring 19 points to just seven from Columbia to take home the 21-point win.

Trae McKenzie led Trinity with 14 points on the night. Tanner Cage added 11 points, and Jake Winston and Garrett Vinson netted eight points each for the Saints.

Columbia’s Alex Price led all scorers with 21 points.

The win improved the Saints to 7-0 on the season and 1-0 in District 5-AA. Trinity will face Porter’s Chapel today. Porter’s Chapel will host four games (junior varsity and varsity) starting at noon.