Triton Holds Off Rochester
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
BOURBON -ÊFor Triton Coach Mike McBride it's all starting to come together. And it's happening at the right time.
Tuesday night senior Bryan Watkins made his return to the lineup from injury, giving the Trojans their most complete roster since early December.
Even though Watkins wasn't in game shape he did pull down four rebounds and provide an inside presence as Triton held off an upstart Rochester squad for a 60-57 win.
"It had an effect for our team, especially in the second half. He gives us a physical force inside," said McBride of Watkins' return and contribution off the bench.
It was Triton's starters, however, that carried nearly the entire offensive burden.
Junior swingman Todd Blackford was on point early scoring 10 of his game-high 18 points in the opening quarter. While Blackford has struggled at times this season from the floor it's when he plays well on both sides of the court and drives when he becomes dangerous.
Triton instituted a full court press the entire game that created turnovers and opportunites early for Blackford to excel. The Trojan defense forced nine first half turnovers and Blackford used a quick first step to create easier shots.
"When Todd comes to play defense it really helps us and him especially. His shot selection is key. When he's driving and taking good shots, no matter if they fall or not, it allows us to do what we want to do on offense," said McBride.
With Watkins' return Triton rotated its top nine players, which allowed them to stick with the press the entire game.
"We're starting to get healthy now and that really helps us because of the style we play," said McBride.
Rochester however was able to break the press at times and create easy chances of their own. The post tandem of Ryan Spencer and Adam Warner combined for 12 first-quarter points allowing the Zebras to stay in the game. After a 6-0 run to start the game Rochester was able to withstand Blackford's outburst and hold onto a 17-16 first-quarter lead.
The Zebras were able to build their lead to as much as five during different points of the second quarter as Triton began to turn the ball over themselves.
Luckily for the Trojans guard Braxton Barton stepped up with two key three-pointers to keep Rochester from opening up a substantial lead. The 5-foot-8 junior hit two straight three-pointers during the first half of the quarter while his team went cold from the field.
"Braxton is out there to hit threes," said McBride. "We have great confidence in him that with good looks he's going to hit."
With Barton's help Triton finally regained the lead as the half expired.
With 9.1 seconds left in the half, Rochester's Kyle Felke drew his second foul on a push-off, giving the ball back to the Trojans. Junior Josh Moore took the inbounds at half court, spun in the lane and hit a jumper to give Triton the 30-29 halftime lead.
Moore was solid the entire game for Triton and the model of efficiency. He finished the night with 14 points on 7-of-10 shooting but was saddled with foul trouble all evening.
With 4:21 left in the third, Moore picked up his fourth foul and was forced to sit with Triton up 40-35.
The second half saw the press give Rochester more fits and wear down the Zebras. Rochester played eight, but one of those was senior Reid Surface. Surface, who has been battling injuries since football season, was wearing more neoprene sleeves and wraps than Allen Iverson. The 6-4 quarterback/forward had virtually no vertical jump for rebounds and was a non-factor on the offensive end of the court.
In much the same way Barton was Triton's saving grace in the second quarter, Rochester's Ryne Martin played the same role for the Zebras in the third quarter. He hit three third quarter treys, keeping his squad within one score at 50-47 going into the final period.
For the first three-and-half quarters Triton was content to run up and down the court at will. At the 4:30 mark with a 56-52 the Trojans were more than content to move to a deliberate half court offense with designs on eating up clock.
The switch on offense is something Triton works on and McBride is comfortable with.
"In the fourth quarter (Rochester) looked tired," McBride said. "We believe that changing to a half-court game changes the entire mindset of our opponent. While we slow down they still have to play defense and we have good one-on-one players that we can isolate and allow to drive. It really plays to our strengths late in the game."
Rochester put a scare into the Trojan faithful when with 51.7 left Warner hit 1 of 2 shots at the line to put the Zebras within one, 58-57.
Forced to foul, Rochester put the lone senior starter, Adam Wanemacher, at the line. Wanemacher calmly knocked down both tries to give Triton the 60-57 final.
As Triton begins to mend and moves to 10-7, it has little time to celebrate. Trey Eaton and his fellow Valley Vikings roll into town Friday night with a 17-1 record and designs on making it 18-1.
TRITON 60, ROCHESTER 57
Triton 16 14 20 10 - 60
Rochester 17 12 18 10 - 57
TRITON FG FT A S R Pts
Wanemacher 2-4 2-2 3 2 3 6
Blackford 6-20 3-6 1 2 9 18
Bell 3-7 0-0 1 1 3 7
Barton 4-8 2-3 1 0 1 13
Moore 7-10 0-0 1 1 6 14
McClarnon 1-2 0-0 0 0 1 2
Watkins 0-2 0-0 0 1 4 0
Savill 0-0 0-0 0 0 1 0
Moriarty 0-0 0-0 0 0 1 0
TOTALS 23-53 7-11 7 7 29 60
ROCHESTER FG FT A S R Pts
Martin 4-13 2-4 0 0 5 13
Felke 4-9 2-3 6 1 0 10
Spencer 5-11 3-4 0 0 11 13
Warner 7-13 2-4 0 1 5 16
Lett 1-2 0-2 0 4 5 2
Smith 0-1 1-2 0 0 1 1
Frounfelter 0-0 0-0 2 0 0 0
Surface 0-1 2-2 0 0 2 2
TOTALS 21-50 10-21 8 6 29 57
Three point goals: Triton 7-18 (Blackford 3-8, Barton 3-7, Bell 1-2, McClarnon 0-1) Rochester 3-15 (Martin 3-11, Felke 0-2, Lett 0-1, Smith 0-1). Turnovers: Triton 18 Rochester 10. Team Fouls: Triton 19, Rochester 15. Fouled Out: Moore (Triton). Technical Fouls: None. [[In-content Ad]]
BOURBON -ÊFor Triton Coach Mike McBride it's all starting to come together. And it's happening at the right time.
Tuesday night senior Bryan Watkins made his return to the lineup from injury, giving the Trojans their most complete roster since early December.
Even though Watkins wasn't in game shape he did pull down four rebounds and provide an inside presence as Triton held off an upstart Rochester squad for a 60-57 win.
"It had an effect for our team, especially in the second half. He gives us a physical force inside," said McBride of Watkins' return and contribution off the bench.
It was Triton's starters, however, that carried nearly the entire offensive burden.
Junior swingman Todd Blackford was on point early scoring 10 of his game-high 18 points in the opening quarter. While Blackford has struggled at times this season from the floor it's when he plays well on both sides of the court and drives when he becomes dangerous.
Triton instituted a full court press the entire game that created turnovers and opportunites early for Blackford to excel. The Trojan defense forced nine first half turnovers and Blackford used a quick first step to create easier shots.
"When Todd comes to play defense it really helps us and him especially. His shot selection is key. When he's driving and taking good shots, no matter if they fall or not, it allows us to do what we want to do on offense," said McBride.
With Watkins' return Triton rotated its top nine players, which allowed them to stick with the press the entire game.
"We're starting to get healthy now and that really helps us because of the style we play," said McBride.
Rochester however was able to break the press at times and create easy chances of their own. The post tandem of Ryan Spencer and Adam Warner combined for 12 first-quarter points allowing the Zebras to stay in the game. After a 6-0 run to start the game Rochester was able to withstand Blackford's outburst and hold onto a 17-16 first-quarter lead.
The Zebras were able to build their lead to as much as five during different points of the second quarter as Triton began to turn the ball over themselves.
Luckily for the Trojans guard Braxton Barton stepped up with two key three-pointers to keep Rochester from opening up a substantial lead. The 5-foot-8 junior hit two straight three-pointers during the first half of the quarter while his team went cold from the field.
"Braxton is out there to hit threes," said McBride. "We have great confidence in him that with good looks he's going to hit."
With Barton's help Triton finally regained the lead as the half expired.
With 9.1 seconds left in the half, Rochester's Kyle Felke drew his second foul on a push-off, giving the ball back to the Trojans. Junior Josh Moore took the inbounds at half court, spun in the lane and hit a jumper to give Triton the 30-29 halftime lead.
Moore was solid the entire game for Triton and the model of efficiency. He finished the night with 14 points on 7-of-10 shooting but was saddled with foul trouble all evening.
With 4:21 left in the third, Moore picked up his fourth foul and was forced to sit with Triton up 40-35.
The second half saw the press give Rochester more fits and wear down the Zebras. Rochester played eight, but one of those was senior Reid Surface. Surface, who has been battling injuries since football season, was wearing more neoprene sleeves and wraps than Allen Iverson. The 6-4 quarterback/forward had virtually no vertical jump for rebounds and was a non-factor on the offensive end of the court.
In much the same way Barton was Triton's saving grace in the second quarter, Rochester's Ryne Martin played the same role for the Zebras in the third quarter. He hit three third quarter treys, keeping his squad within one score at 50-47 going into the final period.
For the first three-and-half quarters Triton was content to run up and down the court at will. At the 4:30 mark with a 56-52 the Trojans were more than content to move to a deliberate half court offense with designs on eating up clock.
The switch on offense is something Triton works on and McBride is comfortable with.
"In the fourth quarter (Rochester) looked tired," McBride said. "We believe that changing to a half-court game changes the entire mindset of our opponent. While we slow down they still have to play defense and we have good one-on-one players that we can isolate and allow to drive. It really plays to our strengths late in the game."
Rochester put a scare into the Trojan faithful when with 51.7 left Warner hit 1 of 2 shots at the line to put the Zebras within one, 58-57.
Forced to foul, Rochester put the lone senior starter, Adam Wanemacher, at the line. Wanemacher calmly knocked down both tries to give Triton the 60-57 final.
As Triton begins to mend and moves to 10-7, it has little time to celebrate. Trey Eaton and his fellow Valley Vikings roll into town Friday night with a 17-1 record and designs on making it 18-1.
TRITON 60, ROCHESTER 57
Triton 16 14 20 10 - 60
Rochester 17 12 18 10 - 57
TRITON FG FT A S R Pts
Wanemacher 2-4 2-2 3 2 3 6
Blackford 6-20 3-6 1 2 9 18
Bell 3-7 0-0 1 1 3 7
Barton 4-8 2-3 1 0 1 13
Moore 7-10 0-0 1 1 6 14
McClarnon 1-2 0-0 0 0 1 2
Watkins 0-2 0-0 0 1 4 0
Savill 0-0 0-0 0 0 1 0
Moriarty 0-0 0-0 0 0 1 0
TOTALS 23-53 7-11 7 7 29 60
ROCHESTER FG FT A S R Pts
Martin 4-13 2-4 0 0 5 13
Felke 4-9 2-3 6 1 0 10
Spencer 5-11 3-4 0 0 11 13
Warner 7-13 2-4 0 1 5 16
Lett 1-2 0-2 0 4 5 2
Smith 0-1 1-2 0 0 1 1
Frounfelter 0-0 0-0 2 0 0 0
Surface 0-1 2-2 0 0 2 2
TOTALS 21-50 10-21 8 6 29 57
Three point goals: Triton 7-18 (Blackford 3-8, Barton 3-7, Bell 1-2, McClarnon 0-1) Rochester 3-15 (Martin 3-11, Felke 0-2, Lett 0-1, Smith 0-1). Turnovers: Triton 18 Rochester 10. Team Fouls: Triton 19, Rochester 15. Fouled Out: Moore (Triton). Technical Fouls: None. [[In-content Ad]]