Juniors Ready To Lead Triton Trojans
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
BOURBON - In middle school, they had a lot of success together.
Once high school started, some of this year's juniors on the Triton boys basketball team played freshmen ball while a couple of otherS played junior varsity and a select few made the varsity squad.
Now they're reunited and ready to earn some wins for the Trojans.
Triton will be led by the one-two punch of Troy McIntyre and Jake Everett.
Both have been contributing for the Trojans since they were freshmen and both are being looked upon to step up.
"(Jake Everett) has grown a little bit and filled out," said Triton coach Jason Groves. "He's a smart player and worked hard over the summer. He was second on our team in rebounding last year. (Troy) McIntyre did a little bit of everything for us last year."
McIntyre and Everett are joined on the Triton roster by classmates Reggie Davis, T.J. Carpenter, A.J. Harrison and Bart Christian.
Carpenter and Harrison are returning letterwinners for the Trojans. Christian and Davis are going to see full-time varsity action for the first time.
"All of our juniors are unselfish and they look out for each other," said Groves. "They all really get along with each other and have been looking forward to playing with each other since they got to high school."
Triton's seniors from last season didn't make a big impact in the final statistics but did show this year's group of junior how to lead a team.
"Those kids worked hard and gave us everything they had," said Groves. "They played tough defense, and hopefully that rubbed off on these guys."
Triton also lost the services of sophomore guard Bruce Grimm, who transfered to Rochester.
Grimm was third on the team in scoring and started at point guard as a freshman.
Groves said he isn't worried about this team being able to score. With 6-foot-7 Everett and 6-4 McIntyre to go with sharpshooters Carpenter and Harrison, the points will come.
"My main concern is on the defensive end," said Groves. "I know these kids can score. These kids can play defense, but it just depends on the effort. One thing we say is that defense leads into offense."
The Trojans open the season Friday when they travel to Oregon-Davis. The Bobcats open the season as one of the top teams in 1A.
Oregon-Davis is tied for fourth in the Associated Press 1A poll.
Things don't get any easier as Triton travels to Plymouth, then NorthWood to take on two bigger schools that play in the always-tough Northern Lakes Conference.
After games with North Miami, Washington Township and Culver Academy, Triton opens its Northern State Conference play at home against New Prairie.
By the time the Trojans enter their conference schedule, Groves believes his team will be battle-tested.
"We have a pretty tough non-conference schedule. Not only is it going to prepare us for the conference but it's going to prepare us for the sectional as well," said Groves.
In terms of the NSC, John Glenn appears to be the early favorite, as all five starters return from a team that went 15-7 overall and 6-1 in conference action last season.
Knox will be aided by two transfers from North Judson and Jimtown should be strong after the Jimmies get caught up from a football season that extended to the semistate.
Triton got ready for the season over the summer by playing in the Rochester summer league and playing in a small-school tournament at DePauw University. The Trojans won the tournament over teams from North Judson, Hebron, Orleans, Heritage, Perry Central and even a team that came from England.
"We're really close," said Groves. "These juniors have been waiting for this moment. We have great team chemistry. They get along and have fun. It's a great atmosphere."
The Trojans finished 11-10 last year and fell 46-41 to Oregon-Davis in the opening round of the secitonal.
This year's Class 1A Sectional No. 50 will take place at Culver.
Triton's season opener at Oregon-Davis is scheduled for 7 p.m. local time and 8 p.m. Triton time.
Triton Trojans
No. Name Grade
10 Reggie Davis 11
14 Joel Meister 10
22 Troy McIntyre 11
24 T.J. Carpenter 11
33 A.J. Harrison 11
34 Bart Christian 11
40 Jake Everett 11
42 Colton Keel 10
44 Zac Moriarty 10 [[In-content Ad]]
BOURBON - In middle school, they had a lot of success together.
Once high school started, some of this year's juniors on the Triton boys basketball team played freshmen ball while a couple of otherS played junior varsity and a select few made the varsity squad.
Now they're reunited and ready to earn some wins for the Trojans.
Triton will be led by the one-two punch of Troy McIntyre and Jake Everett.
Both have been contributing for the Trojans since they were freshmen and both are being looked upon to step up.
"(Jake Everett) has grown a little bit and filled out," said Triton coach Jason Groves. "He's a smart player and worked hard over the summer. He was second on our team in rebounding last year. (Troy) McIntyre did a little bit of everything for us last year."
McIntyre and Everett are joined on the Triton roster by classmates Reggie Davis, T.J. Carpenter, A.J. Harrison and Bart Christian.
Carpenter and Harrison are returning letterwinners for the Trojans. Christian and Davis are going to see full-time varsity action for the first time.
"All of our juniors are unselfish and they look out for each other," said Groves. "They all really get along with each other and have been looking forward to playing with each other since they got to high school."
Triton's seniors from last season didn't make a big impact in the final statistics but did show this year's group of junior how to lead a team.
"Those kids worked hard and gave us everything they had," said Groves. "They played tough defense, and hopefully that rubbed off on these guys."
Triton also lost the services of sophomore guard Bruce Grimm, who transfered to Rochester.
Grimm was third on the team in scoring and started at point guard as a freshman.
Groves said he isn't worried about this team being able to score. With 6-foot-7 Everett and 6-4 McIntyre to go with sharpshooters Carpenter and Harrison, the points will come.
"My main concern is on the defensive end," said Groves. "I know these kids can score. These kids can play defense, but it just depends on the effort. One thing we say is that defense leads into offense."
The Trojans open the season Friday when they travel to Oregon-Davis. The Bobcats open the season as one of the top teams in 1A.
Oregon-Davis is tied for fourth in the Associated Press 1A poll.
Things don't get any easier as Triton travels to Plymouth, then NorthWood to take on two bigger schools that play in the always-tough Northern Lakes Conference.
After games with North Miami, Washington Township and Culver Academy, Triton opens its Northern State Conference play at home against New Prairie.
By the time the Trojans enter their conference schedule, Groves believes his team will be battle-tested.
"We have a pretty tough non-conference schedule. Not only is it going to prepare us for the conference but it's going to prepare us for the sectional as well," said Groves.
In terms of the NSC, John Glenn appears to be the early favorite, as all five starters return from a team that went 15-7 overall and 6-1 in conference action last season.
Knox will be aided by two transfers from North Judson and Jimtown should be strong after the Jimmies get caught up from a football season that extended to the semistate.
Triton got ready for the season over the summer by playing in the Rochester summer league and playing in a small-school tournament at DePauw University. The Trojans won the tournament over teams from North Judson, Hebron, Orleans, Heritage, Perry Central and even a team that came from England.
"We're really close," said Groves. "These juniors have been waiting for this moment. We have great team chemistry. They get along and have fun. It's a great atmosphere."
The Trojans finished 11-10 last year and fell 46-41 to Oregon-Davis in the opening round of the secitonal.
This year's Class 1A Sectional No. 50 will take place at Culver.
Triton's season opener at Oregon-Davis is scheduled for 7 p.m. local time and 8 p.m. Triton time.
Triton Trojans
No. Name Grade
10 Reggie Davis 11
14 Joel Meister 10
22 Troy McIntyre 11
24 T.J. Carpenter 11
33 A.J. Harrison 11
34 Bart Christian 11
40 Jake Everett 11
42 Colton Keel 10
44 Zac Moriarty 10 [[In-content Ad]]