Thoughts from The Swamp after Greenwood eclipsed Warren Central in double overtime
By Perry Swack
You could feel the spark in the air at Greenwood High School on Friday night. Crosstown rivals set to do battle in an ever-important 14th District basketball game. But there seemed to be something more to play for in this one. Sure, the winner would have a clear advantage to the #1 seed in the upcoming district tournament. But more than that, it was about pride. It was about both teams bringing their best to the table. It was about both teams being ranked inside the state’s top ten. Has this ever happened when the Gators and Dragons did battle? It seemed to be a first and two of the state’s top teams did not disappoint.
Here are some notes I observed while taking in an instant classic.
1. Greenwood is learning how to win without Cade Stinnett
When one of the state’s top talents went out to injury in the early moments of the Gators’ home win over Bowling Green last week, it was a perfect chance to fold. The senior was averaging 20 points and six rebounds per contest. It would have been completely understandable for Greenwood to pack it in. However, they didn’t flinch. They consumed every punch the Purples threw at them and defeated BG (72-71) for only the second time since 2012. Fast forward a week — a win over Warren East and now over Warren Central has shown that Greenwood can play with the best of the best without its best player. Whenever Stinnett returns to the lineup, watch out.
2. “It’s a game of runs” never felt more true
Basketball fans are familiar with the old adage that the game is one of runs — one team goes on a big run, the other team follows. In a tight game, you hope your team goes on the big run last or that your team’s final run gave you enough cushion to outlast your opponent. Warren Central carried a 31-20 lead midway through the second quarter; however, the Gators scored the final seven points of the half to trim the lead to 31-27. In the second half, Greenwood tore off a 17-4 run that gave the Gators a 48-41 lead midway through the fourth. The Dragons followed it up with an 8-1 run to end regulation and force overtime. Greenwood led by five points in the first overtime and four points in the second overtime but were able to eke out a victory by making just enough free throws when they needed it.
3. It was Jaiden Lawrence’s night
One of only two seniors on the roster, Warren Central’s Jaiden Lawrence understood the gravity of the matchup with Greenwood. The team’s second-leading scorer at 13.6 points per game, Lawrence wanted to ensure his squad had every chance to control its own destiny for the #1 seed in the 14th District Tournament. He hit timely shot after timely shot — pointing in the direction of the Greenwood student section on more than one occasion. Down three with less than five seconds to play in the first overtime, Lawrence caught the ball in the right corner with two Gators on the prowl. The senior had the awareness in the moment to take two steps back behind the three-point line before calmly nailing the game-tying three-pointer. He finished with a game-high 19 points.
4. A New Streak for Greenwood
For the first time since the 1998-1999 and 1999-2000 seasons, the Gators have defeated the Dragons in consecutive games. Greenwood beat Central in the 14th District Tournament last season to go along with Friday’s victory. The last time Greenwood won three in a row over the Dragons? Between 1998 and 2000, GHS took six straight from their crosstown rivals.
5. Everyone Seems to Know Their Role
The success of any successful basketball team often hinges on the players’ ability to know their role and execute said role. It was clear that both Greenwood and Warren Central understood how they wanted to attack the defense on Friday night. Without Cade Stinnett, the Gators utilized the playmaking abilities of Brakton Stinnett and Aaron Brown to attack the basket (most effectively on the left side) and either hit a layup or dish to a bevy of shooters on the wings and in the corners. Forward Lofton Howard was also utilized well under the basket for tip-ins and layups off the drive.
When Central was most effective, it used precision passing in the halfcourt. Particularly in the first half (when the Dragon lead grew to 11 points), coach Will Unseld’s team was able to get a number of wide open three-pointers due to the ball movement created. The Dragons hit eight three-pointers and created a handful of other golden opportunities for more. This ball movement will continue to serve WCHS well as the postseason begins in a few weeks.
6. Leia Trinh was Unstoppable
I would be remiss if I didn’t include a piece about the most dominant player on the court in either game — Greenwood’s Leia Trinh. The sophomore guard poured in 41 points and 8 assists as the Lady Gators pulled away for a 77-54 victory. Driving with either hand, Trinh found her way into the paint with ease and finished a number of tough looks. She also was able to hit from outside, knocking in jumpers from beyond the arc. When the defense surrounded her, Trinh dished it to teammates as Greenwood cruised.
