In high school basketball, it doesn’t matter how good you looked winning, it only matters if you won.
In a battle of two top teams in the Black Diamond West, Trico defeated Sesser-Valier 44-31 in game that more resembled a rugby match instead of a basketball game.
The referees called 38 fouls between the two teams, as there was no love lost between these two teams.
“You have two teams that know each other very well and are strong and physical,” said Trico coach Shane Hawkins. “Both teams are defensive orientated, so we knew going in points would be hard to come by. Our defense was able to cause turnovers but we weren’t able to turn those mistakes into a lot of points.”
With the win, Trico sits atop the conference with Goreville with both teams having just one league loss. Trico lost one at Sesser-Valier earlier in the season, while Goreville lost at Trico. Trico visits Goreville this weekend.
“It was a big win for us,” said Hawkins. “It gives Sesser two losses and we control our own destiny with Goreville. We now have to take care of business on the road. If we win out, we win the league.”
The Pioneers couldn’t get anything going early in the game, making just 2-of-12 shots in the first period. Trico trailed 9-4 at the end of the first quarter with all four of Trico’s points coming from Chase Heins.
Trico turned the game around in the second quarter with its defense. The Pioneers forced 11 turnovers in the quarter and outscored the Red Devils 12-5 for a 16-14 halftime lead.
The lead would not change hands again, as Trico held the lead through out the second.
Heins scored seven points and Dylan Witthoft nailed two key three-pointers in the third. The Pioneers outscored Sesser-Valier 13-10 for a 29-24 lead heading into the fourth.
Trico pulled away with a 12-2 run early in the quarter. Heins scored seven points in the frame and Trevor Compton gave the team a spark off the bench with several good interior assists.
The Pioneers outscored Sesser-Valier 15-7 in the fourth for the 13-point win.
Heins led Trico with 22, while Witthoft had 10. Meyerhoff did a good job on defense shooting down Sesser-Valier’s best offensive player, limiting him to just four points.