Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
He was on the phone, but his answer of "yeah" was as visible as if he were standing 2 feet in front of you.
Triton will put its 16-7 record on the line tonight at 7:30 p.m. when it hosts the Fillies, the team that ended the Trojans's season a year ago in the regional with a 53-51 win on a last second tip-in. Triton finished last year with a 9-15 record.
Triton advanced to the regional round of the state tournament by hosting and defeating Argos, Culver and Oregon-Davis in the sectional. The Trojans won their three sectional games by an average of 30.7 points. Overall, Triton outscored its sectional competition 177-85.
"We're playing really well right now," said Heeter, who owns a 135-74 record at Triton. "We struggled in the first half against Oregon-Davis (sectional championship), but once we play our game we can be pretty effective."
Triton has outscored its opponents by an average of nearly 15 points per game this year.
Kouts advanced to tonight's regional by defeating Washington Township, Whiting and Morgan Township in the sectional. The Fillies won their three sectional games by an average of 19 points per contest, outscoring their opponents 194-137.
"We have to limit them to one shot," said Heeter when asked the keys of the game. "If we give them two or three shots at the basket, eventually they'll hit."
Like they did last year to walk away with a two-point win.
Kouts hit 10 three-pointers in their 73-57 sectional championship win over Morgan Township.
For the year, Triton's opponents have made only 47 of 179 (26.3 percent) three-point attempts. The Trojans have connected on 59 of 193 (30.6 percent) shots beyond the arc.
Heeter also said turnovers would play a major part if the Trojans were to win their first regional championship in school history.
The Trojans average 22.6 turnovers per contest; their opponents come in at 21.4 turnovers per game.
Currently the Trojans are on a five-game win streak and have won nine of their last 10 games. Kouts finished its regular season campaign with losses in three of its last five games.
Missy Nifong, Triton's lone senior, leads the team in scoring with 13 points per game. She also averages 7.8 rebounds per game. Junior center Betsy Salyer averages a double-double of 11.2 points and 10.8 rebounds per contest. Freshman Ashli Senff adds 11.7 points and 3.7 rebounds per contest.
Kouts' scoring attack is spearheaded by 5'7" junior Erica Martin who averages 19.2 points per game. Erin Pendowski and Jenni Bielinski average 9.4 points per game each.
Tonight's Triton Regional tips off at 7:30 p.m.
Triton stats appear on page 2B.
TRITON
(16-7)
North Judson 73, Triton 62
Triton 74, Argos 16
Triton76, CMA 19
Triton 64, Bethany Christian 32
Triton 51, New Prairie 33
Knox 70, Triton 58
Triton 48, Tippecanoe Valley 38
Bremen 62, Triton 57
Triton 56, John Glenn 43
LaVille 59, Triton 50
Plymouth 62, Triton 51
Triton 59, Whitko 52
NorthWood 65, Triton 46
Triton 70, Manchester 64
Triton 52, Jimtown 38
Triton 63, South Central 30
Triton 69, Culver 33
Rochester 59, Triton 43
Triton 69, Caston 32
Triton 68, Oregon-Davis 61
Triton Sectional
Triton 59, Argos 14
Triton 54, Culver 25
Triton 64, Oregon-Davis 46
KOUTS
(14-8)
North White 73, Kouts 68
Kouts 63, West Central 35
North Judson 70, Kouts 40
Kouts 44, Hanover Central 42
Kouts 71, Westville 25
Kouts 61, Oregon-Davis 50
Kouts 64, Boone Grove 51
Hebron 74, Kouts 54
Kouts 63, Boone Grove 44
Hebron 68, Kouts 49
Knox 72, Kouts 70
Kouts 65, South Central 54
Kouts 75, LaCrosse 29
Kouts 75, Washington Township 35
Hanover Central 58, Kouts 50
Kouts 44, Wheeler 39
Kouts 53, Marquette Catholic 39
LaVille 56, Kouts 49
Morgan Township 50, Kouts 45
Morgan Township Sectional
Kouts 69, Washington Township 36
Kouts 52, Whiting 44
Kouts 73, Morgan Township 57
