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WEIRTON -- The result was not what it wanted, but the Madonna boys basketball team is glad to be out on the court again.
Trinity Christian managed to break open a close game in the second half, as the Warriors took down the Blue Dons, 61-51, in both teams' season-opening game Friday night inside the Dube Dome.
Trinity Christian ended up outscoring Madonna by seven points in the second half.
"It was our first Friday night playing, and it felt great," Madonna head coach George Vargo said. "It felt great for the kids, the fans and the coaches. Though we lost the game, it was our first Friday night playing in over a year. This was the first time we have seen real competition in a year.
"Morgantown Trinity is a good basketball team. They are well coached. They had two kids combine to score 53 of their 61 points. Our kids played really hard. There were just two or three times in crucial situations where we did not take care of the basketball. We did run our offensive sets. They went on a 6-0 run, and that is tough to come back from."
The first half was close throughout, and after 16 minutes of play, the Warriors led, 25-22.
"I am pleased with how we performed," Vargo said. "I am disappointed we did not finish in the paint. They harassed some of our shots. Morgantown Trinity has two guys who are athletic and quick. They altered some shots. We lost to a good team."
The Warriors outscored the Blue Dons, 17-10, in the third to give the visitors a 42-32 lead entering the fourth.
Three players produced double digits for the Blue Dons. Matt Amaismeier, who hit three 3-pointers on the night, tallied a team-high 13 points. Evan Bone ended up with 12 and Lennon Dietrich collected 11.
Gavin Jackson netted a game-high 27 points to lead the way for the Warriors, while James Bourne netted 26.
"They did not do anything unexpected," Vargo said. "They played well. They are very quick. They shot the ball well. They had one kid transfer from Morgantown -- No. 33 (Bourne).
"It was a close game in the first half. I think it was a one-point game at the end of the first quarter. They led by three at halftime. Our kids played hard. Our kids played well. There was just a two or three minute spurt where we kicked ourselves in the foot. They went on a 6-0 or an 8-0 run, and we did not counter it. You know that is tough to come back from."
There was no JV game, as the Blue Dons do not have a squad.
"This past year has been very frustrating," Vargo said. "One day we are on. We practiced one day, and then we are off for two days and we are not allowed in the gym. You have to wear a mask, and you can't touch anyone. It has been tough dealing with this COVID. Our basketball psyche has been destroyed. There is no jump ball which I don't understand. You play tough for 32 minutes, but there is no jump ball. It doesn't make sense. You have people who make these rules, and we just have to adjust to them."
Madonna tentatively is scheduled to play Tuesday night at Oak Glen.
"Oak Glen is a rival, but Trinity has also become a rival," Vargo said. "We compete with them in the OVAC. It is usually us, Trinity and someone else. We will see what happens. It is still early on in the season. We aren't going to put our heads down. We are going to get back in the gym and get back after it. We are going to practice hard."
Trintiy Christian 61, Madonna 51
TRINITY CHRISTIAN (1-0): Zapotoczny 0 0-2 0, M. Steptoe 0 0-0 0, Jackson 9 6-9 27, Teets 0 0-0 0, Hill 0 0-0 0, Garbart 2 0-0 6, Bourne 10 4-6 26, Dobbs 1 0-0 2. TOTALS: 22 10-17 61.
MADONNA (0-1): L. Amaismeier 1 0-0 3, Mascio 1 0-0 2, Sessi 2 0-0 5, Arlia 1 0-0 2, Dietrich 4 3-4 11, Moore 0 0-0 0, M. Amaismeier 5 0-0 13, Pulice 1 3-7 5, Bone 5 2-3 12, Yates 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 20 8-14 51.
3-POINTERS: Trinity Christian 6 (Jackson 2, Garbart 2, Bourne 2); Madonna 5 (M. Amaismeier 3, L. Amaismeier, Sessi).
GIRLS BASKETBALL
WEIRTON -- The Madonna girls basketball team fell to Trinity Christian on Friday, 52-46.
Jazzy Melnyk led the Blue Dons, now 0-2, with 17 points. Alaina Moore netted 10 points and Vanessa Alatis finished with 12.
Trinity Christian was led by Olivia Austin's 14 points.
The Blue Dons are tentatively scheduled to host Valley on Monday.
Trinity Christian 52, Madonna 46
Trinity 18 14 14 6 - 52
Madonna 13 12 13 8 - 46
TRINITY CHRISTIAN: Barnett 3 0-0 8; Smith 1 3-4 5; Smith-McCrabie 1 2-4 4; Austin 6 0-2 14; Pancoost 1 0-0 3; Mercure 6 4-5 18. TOTALS: 18, 9-15; 52.
MADONNA: Melnyk 8 0-0 17; Moore 4 2-2 10; Martinez 1 1-2 3; Backel 0 0-0 0; Alatis 5 0-0 12; Yacos 2 0-0 2; Wingeh 1 0-0 2. TOTALS: 21, 3-4; 46.
3-POINT GOALS: Trinity Christian 7 (Barnett 2, Austin 2, Pancoost, Mercure 2); Madonna 3 (Alatis 2, Melnyk).