In the first semifinal of the Whitaker Bank KHSAA Boy’s Sweet Sixteen the Scott County Cardinals took on the Trinity Shamrocks in Rupp Arena.
The first quarter made the mantra “The greatest show on Earth” true due to Scott County’s Trent Gilbert and Trinity’s Jax Levitch. Gilbert scored 10 as Levitch matched that and then one with 11, both shooting lights out from 3 point land. After the first quarter Scott County lead 14-11.
In the second quarter Levitch and Gilbert kept trading baskets until Trinity made a 5 point run to take the lead into halftime. Levitch ended up with 15 points shooting 4 of 5 from 3 point land and 3 more on a lay up in which he was fouled and sunk the free throw.
Both teams took care of the ball only having 7 combined turnovers in the first half. Trinity shot 48% from the field and 45%(4-9) from deep while Scott County shot 44% and 50%(4-8) from 3 point land. Trinty dominated the paint in the first half outscoring the Cardinals 16 to 4 as well as 16 from the rocks bench helping them go into the locker room with 31-26 lead over the Cardinals.
Coming out of the locker room both teams didn’t let up or disappoint as Levitch and Gilbert continued their hot hands as Levitch finished the third quarter with 18 total points and Gilbert 20. Gilbert proved to be too much for Trinity as he continued to hit highly contested shots and sealed the game with 6 straight free throws moving Scott County past Trinity 62-56.
Gilbert was named the Kentucky National Guard Player of the Game by absolutely dominating the Shamrocks defense by pouring in 36(10-19) points and has been earned the honor in all 3 of the Cardinals tournament games. The kid has ice water in his veins. If given a a split second and a look Gilbert will make you pay by sinking a 3 or finishing at the rim. Gilbert got help for #32 Tony Martini as he grabbed 13 rebounds and scoring 5 points.
Trinity was led by #4 Jax Levitch with 21 points (7-9) and (6-7)from 3 point land and gave 110% for the Shamrocks. Also fro the Shamrocks #35 Raymond Spalding had a double double with 11 points and 10 boards while #30 Michael Stafford also scored 11. Trinity outscored Scott County in the paint 30 to 12 and the Shamrocks bench poured in 21 to the Cardinals 6. As for field goal percentages Scott County shot 49% for the game and 50% from three point land compared to Trinity’s 45% from the field and also 50% from the 3 point arc. A big disparity was at the free throw stripe as Scott County shot 92%(12-13) as Trinity shot 46%(6-13). Scott County won the rebound battle 28 to 22 but had 9 turnovers compared to Trinity’s 7.
Congrats to Trinity for a great year and making it to the Sweet 16 Semifinals. The Shamrocks ran into a hot Scott Gilbert who was not going to be denied on this night.
The Cardinals will play Covington Catholic Bowling Green on Sunday March 23rd at 2pm at Rupp Arena.
