A pair of double-digit runs helped Whitesville Trinity turn back Caldwell County 69-53 Monday night in girls’ basketball action in Princeton.
The visiting Lady Raiders ran out to a 13-0 lead less than 4 minutes into the season opener and the 3rd Region school never trailed.
Caldwell made some runs to try to get back in it, though.
The Lady Tigers were within 32-23 at halftime after trailing by as much as 16 points in the first half.
Caldwell appeared to be gaining momentum when it got to within 38-30 early in the second half.
But Whitesville Trinity hit another big run, reeling off 11 straight points to take its biggest lead of the night at 49-30.
The Lady Tigers countered with eight straight to again try to get within striking distance.
A 3-pointer by Parris Gray had Caldwell back as close as 49-38 with 1:22 left in the quarter.
Trinity led 53-38 entering the final frame, but saw Caldwell trim the margin to single digits at 55-46 on a driving basket by Gray with 5:44 to play. But that would be as close as the Lady Tigers would get.
The Trinity one-two punch of Josie Aull and Cassidy Morris combined for 49 points. Aull had 25 of those. Katherine Hibbit added 10.
Caldwell got 18 points from Gray while Jakhia Copeland added 11 and Katy Smiley finished with 10.
Whitesville Trinity took advantage of its opportunities at the free throw line. The Lady Raiders were 17 of 19 at the stripe while Caldwell went 4 for 11.
The Lady Tigers will play at home again on Friday when they host Todd County Central from the 4th Region. The Lady Rebels are coached by Caldwell County Tiger all-time leading scorer Matt Fraliex.
Whitesville Trinity 17 15 21 16—69
Caldwell County 5 18 15 15—53
Whitesville Trinity (1-0) — Josie Aull 25, Cassidy Morris 24, Katherine Hibbit 10, Hadley Hatfield 4, Maddison McDaniel 2, Kenzie McDowell 2, Madison Wilson 2.
Caldwell County (0-1) — Parris Gray 18, Jakhia Copeland 11, Katy Smiley 10, Presley McKinney 7, Morgan Aikins 4, Brylee Butts 3.
