On-a-roll Trenton girls spank Lincoln Park

There was not a lot of suspense surrounding the Trenton girls basketball team’s game with Lincoln Park on Jan. 17.

The Trojans came in riding a five-game winning streak and the Rails came in in the midst of a ninegame losing streak. When the night was over, it was a six-game streak for Trenton and 10 straight games of misery for Lincoln Park.

Lincoln Park showed a little spark at times, but Trenton flexed its muscles and cruised to an easy 61-39 win that was really even more lopsided than the final score indicated.

Trenton wasted little time in showing who was the better team, jetting out to a 14-2 lead in the opening minutes.

It was 21-8 at the end of the first quarter. To Lincoln Park’s credit, the Railsplitters showed a lot of spunk in the second quarter and matched the Trojans basket-for-basket. The two teams each scored 13 points in the period and Trenton led 34-21 at halftime.

Trenton got serious in the second half and, led by its relentless full court press, squashed the Rails.

Trenton scored 18 straight points to start the third quarter and eventually win the frame 20-3 to take a commanding 54-24 lead into the fourth quarter.

At that point, Trenton coach Chuck Perez called off the press and brought his starters to the bench. With the defensive pressure gone and the Trenton starters on the bench, Lincoln Park had perhaps one of its best offensive quarters of the season, scouring 15 points.

Nine players scored for Trenton, three of them reaching double figures.

Brianna Thomas, whose three-point range knows no bounds, hit three long bombs and finished with 15 points. Claire Gionyea had 12 and Malya Bynum added 10.

Mia Maldonado chipped in with eight, Aleah Tanguay had six, Lauryn Holder had four, Sara Mugueta-Agudo and Jukia Mach each had two and Brooklyn Taylor added one.

The win kept the Trojan on a red-hot roll. The team’s last loss was a three-point decision against Downriver League rival Allen Park on Dec. 6.

Since that point the Trojans have beaten Wyandotte (51-41), Flat Rock (39-27), Southgate (49-18), Livonia Franklin (49-24), Dearborn Edsel Ford (55-22), Woodhaven (56-37) and Lincoln Park.

The Trojans are 7-4 overall and 5-1 in league games. They are in a virtual tie atop the league standings with Allen Park despite their loss to the Jags.

Trenton played Carlson on Jan. 19 and the Trojans have just eight games – all of the league contests – remaining.

The Michigan High School Athletic Association state tournament begins with district tournaments starting Feb. 27.

Trenton will host a district tournament and the Trojans will welcome in Woodhaven, Carlson, Monroe and Bedford.