It was a grueling three-hour bus ride from Trenton to Wichita Falls, but the ride home Saturday night must have seemed a lot shorter.  After all, the 11-0 Lady Tigers were headed home with the 2007 Tournament of Lights Division III championship trophy as a reward for their excellent performance during two long days of basketball action.

Trenton had to go through a Class 3A JV team from Burkburnett, beat a Class 2A JV squad out of City View and then knock off two-time defending champion Wellington in the semifinals just to earn a berth in the Division III showcase against the Community Christian Lady Royals from Oklahoma.

The Lady Tigers have been coming to the Fantasy of Lights for three years, but this was Trenton's first shot at the title.  Their aim was true.

Trenton claimed their division championship with a solid 48-39 victory over Community Christian, a private academy comparable in size to a Texas Class 2A school.

Leading the Lady Tigers in the title game was Hillary Baugh with 22 points and 11 rebounds, Brianna Hart had 11 points and six rebounds, Alix Agan scored seven, Casey Beezley finished with four points, while Taryn Walls and Whitney Benavides each had two points.
 
"I am very proud of these young ladies," an elated Trenton head coach Mike Jones remarked.  "They played some outstanding basketball these past two days.  They played hard and smart each outing.  We had different players at different times elevate their play and respond to some very stiff competion.  Again, I am very proud of and for these wonderful young ladies."

And, if the championship trophy needed company on the ride back to Trenton, Hillary Baugh could always sit her MVP trophy next to it.  Baugh made her senior trip to the tournament one she will always remember by being named the Most Valuable Player in the girls bracket of Division III competition.

Trenton also placed three other outstanding athletes on the all-tournament team: Alix Agan, Brianna Hart and Whitney Benavides.

(l-r) Trenton's Whitney Benavides, Alix Agin and Brianna Hart were first team all-tournament selections. On the right is Executive Director of the Fantasy of Lights Tournament, Carmen Lozipone

The Trenton Lady Tigers will be back in action in the friendly confines of the Trenton High School gym on Tuesday, November 27, when neighboring Leonard comes calling.  JV games are set to begin at 4:30 p.m.

The 2007 Tournament of Lights Division III girls bracket champions, the Trenton Lady Tigers.

Executive Director of the Fantasy of Lights Tournament, Carmen Lozipone, presents the Division III girls MVP award to Trenton senior Hillary Baugh.