Triton Taking Momentum Into Sectional At Home
February 27, 2017 at 5:00 p.m.
By Mark [email protected]
The improvement from an 0-3 record to a 17-5 record and a Hoosier North Athletic Conference title has been greater than Groves anticipated.
“This team has really progressed well, even more so than I expected,” he said. “The front end of our schedule is rough every year because we have Plymouth, NorthWood, and Warsaw early; but we really get to see where we are at as a team.
“Our weaknesses are exposed, and we have to fix those weaknesses in a hurry in order to be competitive with the teams who are up next. At the beginning of the year, we had many weaknesses and really didn't have an identity. We didn't play defense; we turned the ball over too much; and we weren't exactly sure who could score consistently and from where.
“Right now, we play much better defense, we take much better care of the ball, and we know our roles as well. I guess you could say that we know who we are now.”
Groves said the difference between a good season and a conference-title team has been the senior leadership of Grant Johnson and Zac Pitney. Johnson averages 13 points and seven rebounds a night, and double-doubles have been fairly common. Pitney leads the Trojans in scoring, averaging about 16 points per contest.
“Without a doubt, Grant and Zac have really stepped up as seniors,” Groves said. “This was somewhat expected because they are the two guys on our team with the most experience. At the same time, those players still need to grow and mature as players and leaders as the season progresses, and those two have.
“They have really grown as leaders. They now realize that the success and progression of our team relies heavily on their performance in games and in practice. The biggest way that they have improved on the court is their consistency. Even when they are not scoring, they are finding other ways to help us win.”
With a preseason injury to Jarrett Martin that allowed him to play just 12 seconds in the final home of the regular season against Bremen, Beau Hepler and Nate Flenar have stepped up to fill a void.
“With Jarrett Martin going down before the season, Beau was forced into action. He has been a really pleasant surprise,” Groves said. “He’s taking care of the ball, running our offense well, playing good defense, and shooting extremely well.
“Nate has really been the key to much of our recent success. I always knew he was capable of being a really good player for us, but the key is that he knows that, too. Nate has been getting to the free throw line and has really become another scoring threat for us.”
Triton hosts its 1A sectional and drew a bye in the first round. The Trojans await the Culver Community/North Miami winner in Friday’s 6 p.m. semifinal game.
“With a bye, you don't have a chance to get your nerves out of you. But on the other had, you have had all week to prepare,” Groves said. “I think it does help being at home because of the familiarity of things, so hopefully it won't be a negative for us.”
With a win Triton would advance to the title game at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Trojan Trench.
The improvement from an 0-3 record to a 17-5 record and a Hoosier North Athletic Conference title has been greater than Groves anticipated.
“This team has really progressed well, even more so than I expected,” he said. “The front end of our schedule is rough every year because we have Plymouth, NorthWood, and Warsaw early; but we really get to see where we are at as a team.
“Our weaknesses are exposed, and we have to fix those weaknesses in a hurry in order to be competitive with the teams who are up next. At the beginning of the year, we had many weaknesses and really didn't have an identity. We didn't play defense; we turned the ball over too much; and we weren't exactly sure who could score consistently and from where.
“Right now, we play much better defense, we take much better care of the ball, and we know our roles as well. I guess you could say that we know who we are now.”
Groves said the difference between a good season and a conference-title team has been the senior leadership of Grant Johnson and Zac Pitney. Johnson averages 13 points and seven rebounds a night, and double-doubles have been fairly common. Pitney leads the Trojans in scoring, averaging about 16 points per contest.
“Without a doubt, Grant and Zac have really stepped up as seniors,” Groves said. “This was somewhat expected because they are the two guys on our team with the most experience. At the same time, those players still need to grow and mature as players and leaders as the season progresses, and those two have.
“They have really grown as leaders. They now realize that the success and progression of our team relies heavily on their performance in games and in practice. The biggest way that they have improved on the court is their consistency. Even when they are not scoring, they are finding other ways to help us win.”
With a preseason injury to Jarrett Martin that allowed him to play just 12 seconds in the final home of the regular season against Bremen, Beau Hepler and Nate Flenar have stepped up to fill a void.
“With Jarrett Martin going down before the season, Beau was forced into action. He has been a really pleasant surprise,” Groves said. “He’s taking care of the ball, running our offense well, playing good defense, and shooting extremely well.
“Nate has really been the key to much of our recent success. I always knew he was capable of being a really good player for us, but the key is that he knows that, too. Nate has been getting to the free throw line and has really become another scoring threat for us.”
Triton hosts its 1A sectional and drew a bye in the first round. The Trojans await the Culver Community/North Miami winner in Friday’s 6 p.m. semifinal game.
“With a bye, you don't have a chance to get your nerves out of you. But on the other had, you have had all week to prepare,” Groves said. “I think it does help being at home because of the familiarity of things, so hopefully it won't be a negative for us.”
With a win Triton would advance to the title game at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Trojan Trench.
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