On day one of the Hoover High School Basketball Tournament, the Charles Henderson High School Lady Trojans tallied a 1-1 record after defeating Central Tuscaloosa 41-33 and falling to the Hoover Buccaneers 34-32.

In game one, the Trojans dominated the first half thanks to strong shooting and a suffocating defense. CHHS led 24-9 at the half.

In the second half the Falcons were able close the gap to 8 points and make it a game as the Trojans struggled with foul trouble.

“It was a good game,” said Trojans head coach Dyneshia Jones. “The second half was different because of the fouls. We made some crazy fouls.”

Tatyana Siler led the Trojans with 11 points, while Maori Davenport finished with 10 and Niaira Jones finished with 9.

Game two offered the Trojans a little more of a test in tournament host Hoover, a 7A team.

The game was a back-and-forth affair that saw the Buccaneers jump out to an 8-point lead. Both teams were competitive, switching leads throughout the game, until the Trojans stretched the lead to 30-24 heading into the fourth quarter.

Fouls once again became an issue, as Maori Davenport fouled out. Mercer commit India Blakely left the game with an ankle injury in the final two minutes, From there the Buccaneers were able to take the game away from the Trojans.

With the game tied in the final minute, a Trojan foul send the Buccaneers to the free-throw line. The Buccaneers converted the free throws putting them back up front and giving them a 34-32 win over the Trojans.

“The girls played really good,” Jones said. “For it to be Hoover they fought through it and they did a good job.”

Blakely led the Lady Trojans, finishing with 14 points while Jones finished with 8.

“It was great energy,” Jones said. “For us to play two games today, it was great. They were tired, having to play at 9 a.m. and then having to sit there, was very tiring.”

Jones said she was most impressed with the Trojan defense.

“We played great defense,” Jones said. “We put a lot of pressure on them tonight. They are a great team but we hung in there right with them.”

The match up against Hoover for the Trojans gave Jones the opportunity to find out exactly what her team has early in the season.

“They played with their heart tonight,” Jones said. “They went for it and they played with heart. They played with a great attitude and pushed it every time.”

Charles Henderson will be back in action at 9 a.m. today when they go up against Montevallo.

A Trojan win would secure them a shot to play for third place against North Ridge.