Sam Rayburn's Cristyn Manhart was awarded the 2005 Trenton Holiday Tournament MVP trophy after her Lady Rebels earned a 52-41 win over the Trenton Lady Tigers in the tourney finals, but they probably could have handed the hardware to the 5' 11" junior post after the first buzzer.

Manhart scored 12 points in a decisive first period that saw the Lady Rebels jump out to a 18-9 advantage and that came against stiff competition.  This game featured two very good centers, Manhart and Trenton's Elizabeth Lambert.  Lambert is a 6' 0" senior that had five consecutive double-doubles coming into the contest, and these two stellar athletes will meet twice more in district play that begins next week, but Saturday night belonged to Manhart and the Lady Rebels.

Sam Rayburn's Jacey Jones had a lot to do with the early lead as well.  Jones, a speedy 5' 5" sophomore guard, picked Trenton's pockets three times in the early action.

Coach Dan Pate's Lady Rebels were up 4-2 when Manhart reeled off the contest's next 10 points and suddenly Sam Rayburn had a 14-2 lead and a full head of steam.

Coach Mike Jones' Lady Tigers began working their way back into the game.  Lambert canned a pair of free throws.  Kelcey Haden turned a steal into a lay-up and Megan Jones dropped in two free throws for Trenton, but Sam Rayburn led 18-7 after the first period in the championship game.

Lady Rebel point guard Jessika Hardy helped boost the lead to 22-10 by burying a three-pointer and a short jumper.  Trenton fought back behind the play of 5' 9" sophomore forward Hillary Baugh and Haden, however Sam Rayburn had a 31-22 lead at the break.

That margin held up in the second half.  Jones had back-to-back baskets for Trenton to narrow the gap to 44-37, but Sam Rayburn had an answer to every Lady Tiger run.  The Lady Rebels were up 46-37 after three periods and picked up a 52-41 victory to take the championship in the girls' bracket.

Sam Rayburn's Cristyn Manhart led all scorers with 19 points.  The Lady Rebels got 13 points from Jessika Hardy and eight points by Ashley Arthur.

Hillary Baugh paced the Trenton offense with 12 points, followed by Kelcey Haden (10 pts.), Elizabeth Lambert (7 pts.) and Megan Jones (6 pts.).

additional photos pending