Lathan Croy has shown the ability to score from time-to-time throughout his career. But a two-game stretch within a 24-hour window may have been his best ever.
Croy scored 64 points in the two games combined, leading Trenton to a 50-49 win on the road in Maysville on Friday night, and a 63-37 victory over Butler on Saturday in the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Classic at Benton High School in St. Joseph.
“64 points in 14 hours has got to be some sort of record,” Trenton Head Coach Jeremy Austin said. “What Lathan did was impressive for a lot of reasons. Yes, it’s great to put up that many points, but usually people have to force the issue to be that successful and Lathan didn’t force the issue in any way. He hit the shots when they were open. He worked to get himself open and when he wasn’t open he adjusted. He took the ball to the basket and he rebounded well. You combine a good shooter with a smart player and you get the kind of games like what Lathan was able to have.”
On Friday, Trenton needed every one of Croy’s points as the Bulldogs held on for a win over Maysville in Grand River Conference action. Trenton jumped out to a 16-6 first quarter lead, but the Wolverines wouldn’t go away, trailing 27-19 at halftime. Trenton got the lead back to double digits by the end of the third quarter, entering the final frame up 43-33.
Maysville made its run over the final eight minutes, clawing its way back into the game. The Wolverines had the ball with 11 seconds left, trailing by a single point, but Trenton’s defense held, giving the Bulldogs their second Grand River Conference win of the season.
Croy had 32 points to pace Trenton, going 11-of-12 from the free throw line. He also added three steals and four rebounds in the win. Carson Radcliff followed with six points and seven rebounds while Carson Burchett and Hunter Dugan each scored four points. Kade Ockenfels had three points and Max McNabb added one point and seven rebounds.
On Saturday, Trenton had a much easier time with Butler. Trenton trailed 18-16 after the opening frame, but things would go the Bulldogs way over the final three frames. Trenton outscored Butler 19-10 in the second quarter and 15-3 in the third to take a 50-31 lead into the fourth quarter. Trenton closed the game on a 13-6 run, cruising to their second win in as many days.
Croy put up 32 points again, going seven-for-seven from the free-throw line. He had five rebounds and four steals in the game as well. Burchett followed with eight points, Dylan Harris had seven points and five rebounds, Radcliff had six points and two steals, Ockenfels had four points and McNabb, Dugan and Isaac Harris all scored two points each to round out the Bulldogs’ total.
With the two victories, Trenton moved to 6-6 overall on the season and 2-2 in GRC action.
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The Bulldogs will be in action at the Lawson Tournament this week, opening play on Tuesday against Carrollton at 5:45 p.m. Trenton is seeded fourth, Carrollton is fifth at the tournament.