![Apple Valley guard Gary Trent Jr. (2) hits a 2-point shot early in the first half against Cretin-Derham Hall on Thursday night. ] (Aaron Lavinsky | StarTribune) Cretin-Derham Hall plays against Apple Valley in the Section 3 Class 4A boys' basketball final at Farmington High School on Thursday, March 5, 2015.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/FO4NE7PYBGULBP45PCXFEHUMXY.jpg?&w=1080)
Apple Valley sophomore guard Gary Trent Jr. can finally move on.
A year after falling in double overtime to Cretin-Derham Hall in the section final, the Eagles got their revenge. They defeated the Raiders 74-50 at Farmington High on Thursday in the Class 4A, Section 3 final.
"That's been sitting on me for a year now," Trent said. "Every time we've been on the AAU bus, they talk about, 'Y'all couldn't beat [Cretin]. Y'all not going to beat them next year.' Well, here we are now."
The Eagles will advance to the state tournament for the second time in three years after failing to defend their state championship last season.
Trent had only two points in this game last year but vowed to be more aggressive rather than settling for three-pointers. He finished with a game-high 29 points and 11 rebounds.
"The kids were so focused and so confident this week that they wanted this game back," Eagles coach Zach Goring said. "They wanted to play Cretin again."
Apple Valley led 36-34 at halftime after 14 ties and lead changes in the first half. The Eagles started the second half on a 17-5 run and held a double-digit lead for the remainder of the game.
They also picked up their intensity on defense, holding Cretin to only 16 second-half points and 20.7 percent shooting from the field.
