Payton Croft’s number one task over the next five weeks is to figure out how Trigg County can win close district games. The Wildcats dropped to 1-3 in district play after a 38-37 loss at Livingston Central Friday. The three losses have been by one, two, and five points. In fact, all seven of Trigg County’s district games last year were decided by single digits. Trigg was 4-3 in those games.
Friday’s loss came down to timing and missed inside shots. Livingston Central scored the first five points of the fourth quarter to take a 35-33 with 5:24 left. Khyran Vaughn tied the game with a bucket with 2:46 left.
Both teams went to a deliberate style on their next two possessions – both ending in turnovers. Trigg got a steal with 48 seconds left but missed the breakaway layup. Livingston Central came down the floor and found T-Roy Ringstaff on the right wing. His 3-pointer with 37 seconds left put the Cardinals up 38-35.
Trigg missed a game-tying 3-pointer with 10 seconds left but a foul on the rebound gave Trigg the ball under their own basket. However, Trigg threw the ball away on the inbounds play. Trigg’s final points came on a put back with a second left off a missed 3-pointer.
Ringstaff scored all eight of Livingston Central’s eight points in the fourth quarter and finished with 13 points. Bryce Stein led Livingston (8-7) with 16 points and four rebounds.
Kendric Adams scored 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for Trigg, while Hayden Cunningham scored 10 points – all in the first half.
Trigg scored 17 points off 20 Livingston turnovers but did not attempt a free throw in the second half while hitting just 6-of-20 shots.
Trigg County (6-10, 1-3) is scheduled to play at Calloway County Tuesday. If the Lakers win their Class 2A Tournament game with Union County Saturday, the game will be canceled. If the Lakers lose Saturday, the game will be played. Trigg’s next district game is Friday at Crittenden County.