Knights steamroll Trojans with precision in MAAA showdown

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By MATT KING

mking@dailyjournalonline.com

FARMINGTON – The 3-pointers connected early and often, and Farmington never let Potosi catch a second wind during a lopsided showdown in the MAAA Large School title chase.

The Knights unofficially shot 66 percent from the field on Monday night, including a stellar 13-of-22 effort from the perimeter, and routed the visiting Trojans 81-50.

Ryder Gollaher compiled 24 points and eight rebounds as Farmington (10-6, 3-0) started a challenging stretch of three games in three days with exemplary precision.

Senior guard Cooper Tripp opened the action with back-to-back triples, helped by an offensive rebound from Gollaher, and finished with 18 points and six assists.

Even a bobbled pass could not prevent the home team from punctuating the first quarter in style. Tatem Tinsley tracked down the loose ball and buried a 27-foot heave at the buzzer for a 27-12 lead.

It was already the seventh 3-pointer made by the Knights. Gollaher also delivered a solid assist inside to a flashing Tripp, who then found Ethan Schaupert cutting the baseline to score through contact.

Schaupert was integral in a disciplined effort at the opposite end, drawing a key assignment against standout guard Kanaan Wilson and allowing just one early field goal.

Sophomore guard Rhenn Mapes tried to keep the Trojans afloat with early jumpers and a couple of aggressive drives, and scored 16 of his team-high 18 points before halftime.

Wilson quickly elevated his offensive pace after the break for 16 total points, but Potosi (13-3, 2-1) was unable to generate much balance from its post players.

The contest was moved forward by four days to accommodate Farmington as the host school of the SEMO Conference wrestling tournament this weekend.

The timing served no favors for the Trojans, who endured three intense outings last week and was certainly depleted as versatile threat Peyton Rowe battled lingering illness.

The senior forward attempted only a couple of jump shots, lacked his usual energy on the boards, and remained on the bench after intermission with his team down 47-25.

Mapes coaxed in a contested layup and sank his second 3-pointer to get within 32-20. Tinsley and Gollaher responded with two straight putbacks before Tripp nailed his fourth triple.

Three teams entered this week at 2-0 in conference play with Fredericktown still firmly in the hunt. Potosi hoped to avenge a four-game season sweep by the Knights last season.

Gollaher and Wilson traded several scoring strikes throughout the third quarter. Farmington protected a 63-43 cushion after Baylor Bowling scooped in a shot while being fouled.

A Potosi defense that triumphed despite yielding 39 points to Union junior Cameron Servais last week faced a running clock at 75-45 after Gollaher and Tinsley tacked on two more 3-pointers.

Tinsley provided 17 points with six rebounds, and Bowling had nine points in the victory.

Zane Blount hit a couple of threes, and Krew Sadler added two late baskets for the Trojans, which commences an 11-day span between games before resuming against Central.

Thomas Lambing collected eight rebounds to lead Potosi, but did not score.