Oregon-Davis Eliminates Triton In Sectional Finals
Posted
Mark Howe-mhowe@timesuniononline.com
BOURBON – The Triton Trojans had one of their worst shooting nights of the season, running into an Oregon-Davis team that is playing perhaps its best basketball of the year. The result was a 38-34 Bobcat win over Triton in the sectional final at the Trojan Trench Saturday night. There were two things that kept the Trojans from advancing to the regional tournament on its home floor on March 14 – shooting percentage and Oregon-Davis’ ability to convert turnovers to points. Jordan Anderson hit one trey in the third quarter, and Zac Pitney hit a shot from just inside the half-court line at the final buzzer for three points probably more meaningful to him and his family. Triton committed only 10 turnovers, but the Bobcats turned them into 15 points. “It doesn’t help things when, except for the one at the buzzer, we shoot 1 for 22 from behind the arc for the game,” said Triton head coach Jason Groves. “We shot 28 percent from the field, and you’re not going to win very many games, no matter how good you are defensively. We only gave up 38 points, and if you’d have told me that before the game I’d have felt pretty good about the game. “We just couldn’t finish inside, we didn’t take a lot of free throws, but a lot of that was O-D; they did a nice job, played hard, and they’re a good basketball team. “They’re playing really well right now. They’re playing with a lot of confidence right now, they’re quick, they’re athletic, I think they’re overall team is thriving right now.” The key to Oregon-Davis’ recent success is transition offense. The Bobcats didn’t get much off missed shots, but the Trojan turnovers were another story. “That was a concern coming in,” Groves said. “We were trying to send two guys back and crash three on the boards. I think it was OK, but I think the transition was off of our turnovers. It wasn’t much off long rebounds or anything like that. “They do a lot of nice things defensively. The read things so well, and their kids really understand the game of basketball, and react to (the situation). That’s why I’m impressed with that group.” The Bobcats might be the hottest team around. After starting its season with a 63-46 loss to Triton on Nov. 26, they dropped seven of their first eight, and 11 of their first 13 games. Oregon-Davis is 9-2 over its last 11, including a current five-game win streak. “We went through a rough stretch early in the year,” said Bobcat head coach Joe Eskridge. “But I never doubted these guys, and I asked them to believe with me, then all of a sudden they started to believe in themselves, and down the stretch we’ve won 9 of 11, it’s been a great roll. “And hopefully we’re not done yet. Before every game I’ve told then ‘hey guys, I’m not ready to go home yet, I’m not ready to give this up. We’re having too much fun.’ It’s been incredible.” Joey Corder finished his prep career with a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds for Triton. Masen Yeo had eight points and seven rebounds, and Anderson tallied five points for the Trojans. Triton wrapped up its season at 17-8 and were co-champions of the last Northern State Conference basketball season. Blake Hurford and Joel Worthington scored 10 points each for the Bobcats.
