Holy Trinity's girls basketball team fell 49-44 to Miami Country Day in the Class 2A state championship on March 7 at the University of North Florida Arena in Jacksonville. The Tigers, who advanced to their first state title game in program history, trailed for much of the contest but cut the deficit to five points in the final quarter. Head Coach Brian St. Martin said the team 'played with heart' but struggled to convert key shots in the closing minutes.
The game was a physical battle from the start, with both teams committing 22 fouls combined. Holy Trinity junior Gianna Conklin-Jones led the Tigers with 14 points, while Miami Country Day's Taylor Smith scored 18 points. The Spartans' defense limited Holy Trinity to 32% shooting from the field, despite the Tigers' aggressive full-court pressure.
Assistant Coach Jimmy Hightower praised his team's resilience. 'We outworked them in every phase of the game,' he said. 'It just came down to making the plays when it mattered most.' Holy Trinity outrebounded Miami Country Day 38-32 and forced 14 turnovers, but the Spartans capitalized on their opportunities in the paint.
The loss ends Holy Trinity's season with a 26-5 record, marking the program's best season in its 15-year history. The Tigers will hold a celebration at their Viera campus next week. Miami Country Day, the reigning state champions, improve to 30-3 and will face Florida's top-ranked team in the upcoming regional tournament.
St. Martin said the team will use the experience as a foundation for future seasons. 'This group has set a new standard for Holy Trinity basketball,' he said. 'We'll be back.'