Performances like Saturday night’s leave the audience feeling good and the players believing they are invincible.
Even if that is a bit on the strong side, after Trinity Lutheran overpowered visiting Crothersville, 85-27, at Bollinger Athletic Compex there was no lack of confidence about what this season can produce for the Cougars.
“Getting to state,” said guard Kailene Cockerham.
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Trinity, now 2-1, brushed off the 0-3 Tigers as if they were from the mosquito family, not the big-cat world, but they did so with such thoroughness, with such a diverse attack and hustling defense they earned the right to be giddy for at least 24 hours.
This encounter between two Jackson County Class 1A teams was one-sided from the opening tip. The Cougars out-scored Crotherville, 24-2, in the first quarter and 23-5 in the second quarter.
Trinity raced to demoralizing fast-breaks and nailed open 3-point jumpers interchangeably.
Sophomore guard Bailey Tabeling scored 26 points with 8 rebounds and 4 assists, freshman Liza Froedge had her biggest explosion with 22 points and Cockerham, the school record-holder in goals for the soccer team, scored with her hands more swiftly than her foot with 15 points
None of that explains the out-sized influence of 6-foot-3 Sydney Jaynes, who is tall and strong, can shoot from the perimeter and inside, rebound, find the open shooter with her passes, and defensively disrupt opponents with blocked shots and by stealing passes in the lane. Jaynes totaled 18 points.
“She’s a rim protector,” said Trinity coach Mike Lang of Jaynes, who is headed to NCAA Division I Butler next season. They collapse on her.”
In addition, Jaynes mixed in 18 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 blocked shots.
When defenses seek to prevent Jaynes from driving, or throwing down long-range threes, she finds her friends for open shots. Tabeling may be a 5-foot-9 point guard who dribbles the ball up-court or calls plays, but the first option is always Jaynes.
“More than likely they’re covering Syd on the post,” Tabeling said of foes’ defensive alignments, which result in Jaynes pass-outs to teammates. “She’ll find you. I’m taking my opportunities, taking my shot.”
The ball goes from Tabeling to Jaynes, and often back to Tabeling She usually has room to drive to the hoop, or find plenty of space beyond the arc to toss down a long one. Entering this game she already had a 31-point game this season.
The points came in a series of avalanches for Trinity in the first half with only minor interruptions in the fourth quarter when the lead reached a high of 60 points.
Despite the 85 points, only five players scored for the Cougars all night, Tabeling, Froedge, Jaynes, Cockerham and Hannah Durham (4).
Froedge, a 5-foot-8 freshman, is growing up on the court in a hurry. She was planning to make the varsity in her first year of high school, but had limited expectations beyond that.
“I didn’t think I would start varsity,” she said.
One reason she has is because returning players, sisters Emma and Katelyn Schepman have not yet been able to play due to not enough practices. They go active Tuesday, giving Trinity more depth.
Crothersville’s top scorer was junior center Zoe Spangler with 12 points, the only Tiger in double figures. Junior Tiessa Stevens had 5 points. Guard Kennadi Lakins collected 13 rebounds.
The other Crothersville scorers were Grace Wilson, 4, Ella Plasse, 3, Elayna Ord, 2, and Lakins 1.
Defensively, Crothersville had to be wary of Jaynes’ moves.
Tiger coach Kevin Hensley said teams must plan for Jaynes.
“Just for her size,” he said. “She’s a great player. She is good at anticipating.”
Froedge, who does not have nearly the muscle of Jaynes, was a hare getting downcourt and benefited from long passes. This was probably the most complete varsity game of the three she has experienced.
“It’s a different level,” Froedge said of moving up from middle school. “It’s is faster and more physical.”
Lang did not think the Cougars were themselves as sharp in a recent loss to Brownstown Central and he made the team’s next three practices quite vigorous. Saturday’s showing was much more pleasing.
“Oh my,” he said. “I’m really liking the progress. Now we’re putting shooters all over the floor.”