Lady Knights take 2nd place at Columbia Tip Off Classic
By Ray Popkess
Coach Josh Hunt and his group of ballers have gotten off to a swell start this season, capturing victory in their first two games at the 15th annual Columbia Tip Off Classic.
The Lady Knights with their Columbia Tip Off Classic plaque presented to them for placing second out of eight teams. Back row from left to right: Kenzie Becker, Addy Gentemann, Emerson Guidry, Presley Thompson, Elizabeth Holloway, Heidi Boehning. Front row: Tori Obucina, Erica Boyce, Alexia Metcalf, Juliette Duff.
Triad defeated the Alton Marquette Explorers in first round action on Nov. 17 by a final score of 60-43. They then defeated the host school on Nov. 19 in the semifinals by another double digit margin, this time with a final of 54-42. The championship game saw the Knights take one on the chin from a talented Belleville East team.
Sophomore Kenzie Becker led all scorers against Alton Marquette with 14 points, followed by senior Erica Boyce with 13 and freshman Juliette Duff with 12.
Juliette Duff (#13, right) tips a pass as Kenzie Becker (#33) shifts off the double team during a half court press against Alton Marquette.
Duff led all scorers on Wednesday night with 17 points against a Columbia team that the Knights have defeated three times consecutively over the last three seasons.
On Saturday, Nov. 22, the Lady Knights went up against the Belleville East Lancers in the final round of the tournament.
The Lancers played stifling defense and used their aggressiveness to score easy baskets against the Knights in all four quarters.
Boyce led the Knights in scoring for the final tournament game with 15 points and was flawless from the free throw line, sinking six shots in six attempts.
Triad ultimately fell 85-50, but “the final score did not reflect the competitiveness that we played with today,” said Coach Hunt via @triadladybball on X.
Boyce and Duff were both selected to the All-Tournament team for their contributions in the three games they played.
Erica Boyce looks for an outlet pass after securing a rebound in the paint.
