Louisville bound David Johnson led the way for Trinity with a double double scoring 20 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.
David Leveridge- Bluegrass Sports Nation
March 10, 2019-Rupp Arena
Today the Whitaker Bank KHSAA boys Sweet sixteen basketball Championship was held at the historic Rupp Arena. Today’s game featured the Trinity Shamrocks Champions of the seventh Region battling the Scott County Cardinals eleventh Region Champion. Trinity’s path to the Championship consisted with wins over Johnson Central 70-28, Ashland Blazer 60-30 and last night’s victory over Campbell County 42-40. The road for Scott County’s Championship appearance consisted of victories over Covington Catholic 64-61, Butler 66-45, Warren Central 70-52.
Scott County opened the game with a seven to zero run. Diablo Stewart scored the first four points of the game and Bryce Long connected with a three- point basket. Trinity responded with five unanswered points as the Shamrocks and David Johnson got the team on the scoreboard. The two teams traded baskets over the next few possessions and the game was played at a fast pace with both teams running in transition and quickly settling into their offenses. Trinity’s Stan Turnier connected on two free throws with the shot clock expiring at the end of the first Quarter. Scott County led Trinity 12-10 at the end of the first quarter.
Scott County’s Michael Moreno opened the scoring in the
second quarter with a jump shot inside the arc.
Trinity’s Turnier responded with a basket on the other end, and the
Scott County lead was cut to two points.
The teams trade baskets the next couple of possessions, and Trinity tied
the game at 16 with a Jamil Hardaway Jump shot.
Diablo Stewart of Scott County made a three- point basket, bringing the
Scott County Faithfull to their feet.
With only five seconds remaining in the half, Scott County led Trinity
22-19. Trinity scored three points at
the buzzer with Johnson connected with a three- point basket, Johnson’s Basket
tied the game at twenty- two entering the half.
The third quarter saw two huge momentum swings with each
team benefitting from the runs. The
Shamrocks opened the second half with a seven to zero run. David Johnson and Jamal Hardaway led the
Shamrocks with Johnson contributing five points and Hardaway adding two points
during the run. The Shamrocks played
Solid defense, and limited Scott County Offense to one shot. The basket was Trinity’s last Basket of the
quarter. Scott County the State’s # 1
Ranked team entering the Tournament responded with an eleven to zero run,
taking a 31-29 lead with 1:46 remaining in the quarter. Stewart and Moreno were phenomenal during the
stretch as the team relied on the two players to carry the scoring load. Lorenzo Williams added to the lead with a
transition layup. At the end of third
Quarter Scott County led 33-29.
Trinity opened the fourth quarter playing their best basketball
of the game and quickly developed a comfortable lead. David Johnson put the Shamrocks on his back
and carried the scoring load while being a force on the boards. Trinity opened the quarter with a fifteen to
two run, the Shamrocks led 46-35 with one minute and twenty- two seconds
remaining in the game. Scott County went
cold from the field and was limited to one possession, with the Shamrocks
grabbing several rebounds and pushing the ball into the front court. Scott County sensing the game was slipping
away was forced to foul Trinity putting the Shamrocks on the free throw
line. Trinity made several free throws
and the fans began to celebrate leading by ten points with under a minute
remaining in the game. Scott County’s
Glenn Covington scored on a three- point basket, cutting the lead to seven
points with forty- eight seconds remained.
David Johnson and Stan Turnier made three free throws in the closing
seconds and Trinity goes on to capture the State Championship defeating Scott
County 50- 40.
TRINITY (50): 1st QTR 10, 2nd QTR 12, 3rd QTR 7, 4th QTR 21. Individual: Kolton Rice 1, David Johnson (Tournament MVP) 22 points, 12 rebounds, Kamari Kenemore 1, Jamal Hardaway 8, Stan Turnier 17, Ethan Hodge 1.
SCOTT (40): 1st QTR 12, 2nd QTR 10, 3rd QTR 11, 4th QTR 7. Individual: Bryce Long 6, Diablo Stewart 10, Glenn Covington 8, Michael Moreno 12, Lorenzo Williams 4.
Trinity finishes the season with an overall record of 30-8
and capture the Whitaker Bank KHSAA Sweet Sixteen Boys Basketball
Championship. Trinity captures the KHSAA
State Basketball Championship for the second time in program history, the first
Championship since the 2011-2012 season.
Scott County finished the season with an overall record of 35-4. For the Second Straight season Scott County
made the Championship game only to lose to a Catholic School in the
finals. Last year Scott County was
defeated by a great Covington Catholic team in the Championship game.
