Behind a perfect game plan and close to perfect execution, the Trico Pioneers put on a basketball clinic Wednesday night to run past Carbondale 62-43 at the SIU Arena.
The win capped off a perfect 12-0 start to the season and 4-0 run through the always tough Carbondale Holiday Tournament.
After not winning a game in last year’s tournament, the Pioneers were focused to change their fortunes this time around.
“We all wanted to show that we are a good team,” said Trico junior and tournament MVP Chase Heins. “We have bought into what coach (Shane Hawkins) wants us to do. We believe in ourselves and wanted this championship more than anyone else.”
Heins finished with a game-high 20 points as Carbondale had no answer for the 6’7 junior inside.
“I’m pretty excited about being named MVP,” said Heins. “I just do what I can to help the team, whether it be scoring or doing the hustle plays.”
Behind a two-handed dunk and an offensive tip-in by Bruce Day, the Terriers led 9-4 early in the first quarter.
The momentum quickly turned Trico’s way, as Heins scored back-to-back baskets and finished the quarter with five points, while Daron Meyerhoff and Dylan Witthoft each nailed late three-pointers. The Pioneers capped off the opening quarter with a 13-3 run for a 17-12 lead.
The Pioneers put on an offensive show in the second quarter, scoring on 10-of-14 possession, while making 10-of-15 shots to outscore Carbondale 22-9 for a commanding 39-21 halftime lead.
Heins had eight points in the quarter, while Meyerhoff added five including another three-pointer.
After a mid-range jump shot from Tyler Coleman, the Pioneers had a 23-point lead, but Carbondale finished off the first half with a 5-0 run to cut the deficit to 18-points at the break.
“Two things need to be there for us to be successful,” said Hawkins. “We have to play tough defense and we have to establish our big guy (Heins). This year we were better equipped to compete in this tournament and everyone played their hearts out.”
Carbondale opened up the second half with a quick 5-0 run but Trico responded with a traditional three-point play from Heins and another triple from Meyerhoff to spark an 11-3 run to push the lead back to 20-points.
The Terriers wouldn’t get closer than 17 points the rest of the way, as the Trico defense kept one of the more explosive offenses at bay.
“You have to believe in yourself and have some sort of confidence going out there on the court,” added Hawkins. “When you can hold Carbondale to 43 points, that’s a nice nights work. We did a great job of fighting them on defense. We didn’t let them get anything easy and made them fight for every point they got.”
Meyerhoff and Jesse Smith, the architect of the Trico offense, each finished with 11 points. Coleman added 10 in the win.
The Pioneers advanced to the overall tournament championship game by defeating Madison 55-54 in the small school championship earlier that day.
The Pioneers outscored Madison 19-11 in the fourth quarter to pull out the win.
Heins led the Trico offense with 16 points, while Taylor Pyatt had 11 and Smith finished with 10.