In a town of roughly 2,300 residents, where Friday nights and packed gymnasiums serve as community gatherings, history does not go unnoticed.
For the first time ever, the Trenton High School boys basketball team reached the state Final Four, a milestone fueled by belief, resilience and the steady play of junior guard Mason VunCannon.
VunCannon scored a team-high 19 points on 53% shooting, adding six rebounds and four assists, to lead the Tigers to a 67-51 victory over Hilliard and secure the program’s first regional championship. For his efforts, VunCannon has been named the UF Health Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Athlete of the Week.
“We knew we had to play well against Hilliard and even though we went down early, there was no quit in our guys,” VunCannon said. “This is a very resilient group and we rallied to get through some adversity and it just felt so good to see all the hard work we’ve put in pay off.”
Under coach Eric Bullis, the Tigers embraced a mindset centered on accomplishing something that had never been done. A core of junior starters, paired with senior leadership, believed this season could be different after suffering heartbreak in previous years.
“We had such a good summer and we knew we had a chance to do something special with this group,” VunCannon said. “Even the coaches we played against sensed something was different. It’s just so fun to play with these guys and because we know each other so well it makes it so much easier to be out on the court with them.”
The season did not begin flawlessly. Trenton dropped two of its first four games and suffered holiday losses to Rickards and Eastside. But after that setback, something changed in the group.
“Coach Bullis told us we have to flip the switch at that point, we need to practice with more intensity and focus on the small things,” VunCannon said. “Ever since then we got after it and played the way we knew we could.”
Trenton responded with 14 consecutive victories and finished undefeated at home, including the signature win over Hilliard. The Tigers’ home court advantage became one of the most formidable in the area, with the entire town rallying behind the team.
“The fans always show up and give us a ton of support,” VunCannon said. “It’s such an advantage for us and they’ve been behind us the entire time. This place is tremendous.”
That support extended beyond Trenton, as a strong Tiger contingent traveled to Jacksonville for the Final Four. The season ultimately ended with a loss to Williston, but the historic run left a lasting imprint on the program.
Though the Tigers graduate a big group of seniors, several starters return, providing optimism for another deep postseason push.
“We lose five seniors but also return three juniors that were starters, so we’ll be very motivated to finish it off next year,” VunCannon said. “It’ll be great to be with Tyler, Noah, Marc and the rest of the guys coming back and we’ll work even harder this offseason to make sure we are ready.”
VunCannon averaged 17 points and six rebounds per game this season, highlighted by a career-high 28-point performance against Newberry. He now shifts his focus to baseball, where he plays pitcher and centerfielder, but basketball remains his first love and a sport he hopes to continue at the next level.
“It’s what I grew up playing,” he said. “I just love to compete and the fast pace of hoops is something I really enjoy. I love to contribute on the floor and look forward to doing that in college as well.”
He also credited school athletic trainer Lynsey Bryant for her impact on the program.
“She’s the best, that’s really all I can say,” VunCannon said. “Whatever we need, whatever sport it is, she’s there to make sure we are doing the right things to be healthy. She stays around as late as we need her to and she’s a huge help to our success.”
Each weekly winner is eligible for the UF Health High School Athlete of the Year Scholarship, a $2,500 award presented at the conclusion of the 2025–26 academic year.