Young star: Freshman Maori Davenport posts 26 points in the Trojans 59-50 win over B.C. Rain

Published 3:00 am Tuesday, February 16, 2016

The Charles Henderson Lady Trojans advanced to the Class 5A regional semifinals after defeating the B.C. Rain Red Raiders 59-50 on Monday.

“They were ready tonight,” said Trojans head coach Dyneshia Jones. “We did let one player take advantage of us to a certain extent (Janya Williams). It was hard to stop her, so that changed the game up tonight.”

After falling behind 2-0 to start the game the Trojans gained a lead in the opening quarter and didn’t relinquish. The Trojans took a slim 16-13 lead into the second quarter.

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The game stayed tight in the second quarter with both teams able to get to the rim and make big shots. The Trojans were able to stretch the lead by as many as six points before the Red Raiders were able to close the gap.

The Trojans took a 29-27 lead into halftime.

The Trojans got stellar play from the freshman center Maori Davenport who posted 26 points in addition to hauling in rebounds.

“She has done this since the seventh grade,” Jones said. “It’s hard to guard her height whenever she is on.”

The Red Raiders scored the first points of the second half. Fortunately for the Trojans they would only score three more points in the quarter while the Trojans scored 15 and carried a 44-32 lead into the fourth quarter.

“I always tell them to be content,” Jones said. “They scored that within the first minute of the quarter. We still had plenty of time, so we knew it wasn’t going to be a problem.”

The Red Raiders made one final push in the game’s final two minutes but wound up nine points short.

The win for the Trojans secures a trip to Dothan to play the winner of Vigor and Prichard in the regional semifinals.

“I am very excited,” Jones said. “We have to get passed what happened tonight, but I am happy for my girls. They work hard and they deserve this.”