Struthers tied a career high with 29 points in Trinity’s win over LAMP on Friday. (Staff Photo)

Staff Report
(Feb. 6, 2010)

Blake Struthers and Ed Wilcoxon didn’t have career nights in Trinity Presbyterian’s 53-49 victory over LAMP on Friday.

But as a combination, it may have been their best ever.

Struthers scored 29 points and Wilcoxon added 20 to help the Wildcats advance to the finals of the Class 3A, Area 5 where they will face homestanding Montgomery Academy on Monday. The Eagles defeated Marbury, 79-66, in the second game.

“I didn’t realize what kind of night we had,” said Struthers, who matched a career high against Reeltown in December. “We were just determined tonight.”

Trinity head coach Jack Schweers was unaware Struthers and Wilcoxon had tallied all but four of the Wildcats’ points. Jack Poundstone had those.

“I am shocked,” he said. “I knew Blake had a good game. He made some key shots for us but I wasn’t aware we didn’t get many points from our other players.

“But that’s how we’ve played at times. Our guys are a team. They don’t worry about points. When somebody gets hot, they try to get the ball to them. Blake was the one that was hot tonight.”

The Wildcats (16-9) struggled in the first half against the taller Golden Tigers but Struthers’ 3-pointer at the end of the first half seemed to give Trinity a lift. Trinity trailed 27-26 at that point.

LAMP  (14-12) jumped out to a five-point lead early in the third quarter only to see it dissipate early in the fourth. The Tigers scored just two points in the first five minutes of the final period, allowing Trinity to take and steadily increase its lead.

“We were flat, uninspired at the start,” Wilcoxon said. “I don’t know why. We just didn’t play well at first.”

Trinity’s zone defense seemed to cause problems for the Tigers, whose size was neutralized.

“Early on, we were having trouble with their size,” Schweers said. “They are so much bigger than we are. I was concerned about that going in. We had played zone in the second game and had some success.”

Trinity outscored LAMP, 9-2, through first seven minutes of the fourth quarter. Jay Taylor hit the last 3-pointer to pull the Tigers within the final margin.

Jay Taylor and Maurice Asouzu each scored 12 points to lead LAMP. Bryan Young had 11 in a losing effort.

Trinity now faces its rival in Montgomery Academy for the area championship.

“It will be a different atmosphere in here,” Struthers said. “They’ve got a strong team but the good thing is we know we are in the sub-regionals.”

MA and Trinity play Monday at 7 p.m. at the Eagles’ gym.

Eagles cruise past Marbury

Despite a 31-point performance by Pierre Warren, the Montgomery Academy Eagles advanced to the finals of the Class 3A, Area 5 finals with a 79-66 win over Marbury on Friday.

Forrest Yarbrough had 20 points, Tucker Harris added 18 and Evan Schmidt had 16 to lead the Eagles (22-4).