Apple Valley coach Zach Goring had point guard Tre Jones run the same play four consecutive times against Minnetonka on Saturday night.

All four ended in baskets for the Eagles' star guard Gary Trent Jr.

"(Trent's) really a tremendous shooter and I don't know if I've seen one better when he gets rolling," Goring said. "He just kept sticking it. He's a great, great talent."

While the scoring has always been the best part of his game, Trent, who now stands at 6-foot-6 and said he's up to 205 pounds, is noticeably larger than last season when he averaged 21.2 points per game.

His box scores this season have mimicked his physical growth.

With 46 points and 11 rebounds in Apple Valley's season opener on Nov. 24 against Chanhassen and his 41 points and nine boards in the Eagles' home opener on Saturday night against Minnetonka (both Eagles wins), Trent has become not just a deadly scorer but a dominating presence on the court.

"I'm really just starting to fill out," Trent said. "My body's getting stronger, I'm starting to jump higher and move a little faster. Just little things like that."

Those 'little things' mean big results in more areas than one for Apple Valley, ranked No. 1 in Class 4A by Minnesota Basketball News.

Despite the uptick in scoring, Trent is gobbling up rebounds and getting out in front of defenses.

"When (Trent) can rebound the ball and just bring it up himself and get teams on their heels, he does a great job finishing at the rim," Goring said.

There are still things that the Eagles have to figure out, even with all five starters back from last season's Class 4A state championship team.

Goring said his team needs to get back on defense better, but added that on the flip side, it's 'really hard' to ask them to play slower on offense.

That's especially true for Trent, who can thrill at the rim or behind the three-point arc. But it's been Trent's rebounding this season that's been as impressive as his scoring so far. He credits his success to extra focus (he has six more rebounds than 7-foot teammate Brock Bertram), but Trent knows he must always be looking to expand his game.

"I just want to be an all-around player because you can't be one-minded on the court," Trent said. "Also, I need to get my assists up as well ... because you've got to have your handprints on every part of the game."

Gary Trent Jr. scored a game-high 41 points Saturday night as Apple Valley recorded a 96-79 home victory over nonconference foe Minnetonka, which got 33 points from Amar Miller.

Cam Kirksey finished with 20 points and Tre Jones added 16 for the Eagles (2-0), ranked No. 1 in Class 4A by Minnesota Basketball News. 

Seth Coatta scored 20 points and Max Cooper had 11 for the Skippers (1-1).

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