North Oldham Mustangs Defeat Trinity Shamrocks, Set Sights on louisville Invitational Tournament
Goshen, KY – The No. 16 North Oldham Mustangs continued their strong season with a decisive 65-57 victory over the Trinity Shamrocks on Friday night. The win boosts North Oldham’s record to 10-4, while Trinity falls to 5-6. The mustangs’ impressive performance, coupled with the upcoming Louisville Invitational Tournament (L.I.T.), has local basketball fans buzzing.
Mustangs Control the game from the Tip-off
North Oldham established control early, racing to a 21-13 lead in the first quarter. This early momentum proved crucial as they maintained their advantage throughout the game, extending it to a 16-point lead (54-38) by the end of the third quarter. While Trinity mounted a spirited comeback attempt in the fourth, fueled by a 7-0 run, North Oldham responded effectively to secure the win.
Rondo, Gregg, and Green Lead the Offensive Charge
The Mustangs’ victory was a team effort, but several players stood out. Eighth-grade guard Pierre rondo, the son of former NBA star Rajon Rondo, showcased exceptional court vision, dishing out eight assists without a single turnover, while also contributing 10 points. Thomas Gregg led all scorers with 23 points,shooting efficiently at 10-of-14 from the field and 3-of-5 from beyond the arc,adding six rebounds and two steals.Eli Green provided a spark off the bench with 15 points, connecting on 5-of-8 three-point attempts.
“We’ve been really working on offensive tempo,” said North Oldham coach David Levitch. “We had 14 threes in our last game, 10 tonight, so we’re starting to pick up our offense a little bit more.” This focus on offensive flow and three-point shooting is clearly paying dividends for the Mustangs.
Trinity Fights Hard Despite Loss
Despite the defeat, Trinity displayed resilience.Jaidan Bartlett led the Shamrocks with 16 points, exceeding his season average of 9.5 points per game by halftime with 12. Thomas Hornek and Garrison Gilvin also contributed double-digit scoring performances, adding 12 and 10 points respectively.
Trinity is looking forward to the return of three-star recruit Jayden Johnson, who transferred back to the school from Wasatch Academy in Utah. Johnson is currently awaiting a ruling from the Kentucky high School Athletic Association (KHSAA) regarding his eligibility. His addition would undoubtedly bolster the Shamrocks’ roster.
Louisville Invitational Tournament on the Horizon
Both North oldham and Trinity have qualified for the prestigious Louisville Invitational tournament (L.I.T.), which begins Sunday, January 11th, at Valley High School. North Oldham earned the top seed in the tournament, while Trinity is seeded ninth, creating the potential for a rematch between the two teams in the second round.
North Oldham is one of four teams making their L.I.T. debut this year, joining Oldham County, South oldham, and W.E.B. DuBois.coach Levitch expressed his excitement about the opportunity, stating, “It’s an honor to be in the tournament. Everybody one to 16 is good, so it’s exciting to us.”
A 35-second shot clock will be in effect for all games, a rule implemented in last year’s tournament to encourage a faster pace of play.
L.I.T. First-Round Schedule
Sunday, January 11:
- No.1 North Oldham vs. No. 16 Oldham co. at 2:00 PM
- No. 4 Butler vs. No. 13 W.E.B. DuBois at 3:45 PM
- No. 2 St. Xavier vs. No.15 Fairdale at 5:30 PM
- No. 3 South Oldham vs. No. 14 Atherton at 7:15 PM
Monday, January 12:
- No. 8 Jeffersontown vs. No.9 Trinity at 6:00 PM
- No. 7 Manual vs. No. 10 Ballard at 7:45 PM
Tuesday, January 13:
- No. 5 Eastern vs. No. 12 Seneca at 6:00 PM
- No. 6 Male vs. No. 11 PRP at 7:45 PM
SETH Ratings Spark Debate
The tournament seeding was determined using the SETH Ratings, a system developed by former JCPS Director of Athletics Jerry Wyman. However,the seeding has drawn criticism,particularly regarding Male High School,KSR’s top-ranked team and the reigning King of the Bluegrass champions,being seeded sixth. This controversy highlights the challenges of accurately ranking high school basketball teams and the subjectivity inherent in any rating system.
The L.I.T. promises to be a thrilling showcase of Kentucky high school basketball talent, with North Oldham and Trinity poised to be key contenders. Fans can expect intense competition and exciting matchups as teams battle for the championship title.
