This isn’t Jason Groves’ first rodeo.
Head coach of the Triton boys basketball team for the last 20 years, Groves is making his fifth appearance in the semi-state round, and his first since 2013. The previous four all ended in appearances in the state finals, but that was back when only one win was necessary in the semifinals. This time around, he’ll have to win two.
While Groves has a plethora of experience in these late tournament rounds, his team does not. The seniors on this team were freshmen the last time the Trojans played in a regional, and no player on the current roster had won one until last weekend. As the team prepares for the biggest Saturday of their lives, Groves has plenty of advice to go along with his experience.
“I’d say to expect to win. Don’t be satisfied with what you’ve already accomplished,” he said. “You have a great opportunity to play for a state title, so be competitors. Another is to have fun and enjoy this moment, but it really is more fun when you win!”
Triton (23-4) will take on Clinton Prairie (24-2) in the second game at Lafayette Jefferson on Saturday, and with a win, would play the victor of Kouts (23-4) and Monroe Central (19-6). The Gophers will pose a tough challenge for the Trojans in the opening round, as the team boasts the No. 3 Sagarin rating in 1A, by far the highest of the four teams in the field. It’ll be the first ever meeting between the two schools.
“They’re very long and athletic and they are well coached. They do a lot of different things out of their 2-1-2 zone defense and create a lot of turnovers with that pressure and length,” Groves said. “Offensively, they space things out for Jake McGraw, but he is not all they have. Their other guys are very skilled as well.”
The aforementioned McGraw averages over 25 points a game and is a 2,000 point scorer for his career. He’ll be the primary focus for a Triton team that had its hands full with Lakewood Park Christian star Avery MacFarlane last week.
While the Trojans will have to do more than just defeat Clinton Prairie to make it to the state finals, Groves says that winning the first game of the day is the team’s sole focus for now.
“Our focus right now is on the Gophers. Our coaches have been preparing for the other two teams, and we will use the time in between games to implement our gamer plan with the kids when that arises,” he said. “We have a smart, experienced group of kids who I feel comfortable showing them film, explaining what we want done, and then them executing it.”
If the Trojans can shoot the ball like they did in the regional game, they’re going to be a tough out on Saturday. The team hit 13 triples in that win over Lakewood Park, shooting 43% from deep in the process. In the first half, Triton was a blistering 52% from beyond the arc. Leading the way was Gage Riffle, perhaps the top shooter in the area, who made four of six.
“That has been the case all year long. When we shoot the ball well, we are really hard to beat,” Groves said. “In most of our losses, the shots just weren’t falling for one reason or another. But right now, we’re playing our best basketball of the season. We’re attacking, creating for others and playing as a team on offense and defense. We are excited about our opportunity this weekend.
Triton and Clinton Prairie will play at around noon, depending on how quickly the first game between Kouts and Monroe Central wraps up.