The Mail-Journal, Volume 21, Number 6, Milford, Kosciusko County, 22 February 1984 — Page 18

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T R I T 0 N

TRITON TROJANS — Pictured above are the 1983-84 Triton High School basketball squad. From left to right, Front row: Gary Flenar, Robbe Stouder, Curt Anders, Kurt Shively and Gary Neff. Second row: Jeff Mellott, Mike Mann, Ryan William-

Trojans' talent not reflected in record

By TOM CHARLES Although the Triton Trojans stood at 5-12 heading into last weekend’s contest with Knox, the record had more to do with bad breaks than with a lack of talent. “I keep telling the kids that I must be living wrong or that they must be living wrong,” kidded coach Ned Wicker. “We feel at this point that there have been seven losses which could have gone our way. We could easily be 12-5.” The Trojans got off to a rough start this season by dropping eight of their first nine contests. In that dismal stretch. Triton lost to Tippy Valley in double overtime, to Wawasee by five and to Culver by two. The streak ended with a 75-61 win over Northfield, a game which Wicker sees as a turning point in the season.

IF' * PULLING FOR THE TROJANS — The Triton cheerleaders will be pulling for the Trojans come sectional time. Pictured above from left are Katherine Kantra, Shelly Dickon, Jackie Klingerman, Cecile Rosete and Stephanie Bender.

“Since the Northfield game we have been playing better basketball,” Wicker commented. “We lost John Smith because of an injury in the Tippy Valley game. He returned against Northfield and that helped us out. We missed him on the court.” Smith, the 5’9” floor general for the Trojans, averages five points per contest in addition to leading the team in assists. “He is one of the scrappiest players in the area,” said Wicker. “We were not the same team without him because of the way he controls the offense.” Offense, a quick fastbreaking offense, is Triton’s favorite pattern of play. Wicker is blessed with two forwards, Curt Anders and Ryan Meister, with ballhandling skills to rival many guards. “Since we have two forwards that can handle the.

ball like guards, we don’t look to one particular person to trigger the break,” said Wicker. “We look to go up the side or up the middle — wherever we can get the ball.” The Trojans like to crank up the pressure when they are on defense as well. “We want to pressure our opponents on both ends of the court,” said Wicker. “We’ve been forcing an average of 20 turnovers per contest.” Key Performers With his shooting, passing and rebounding skills, Anders is the keystone in Triton’s attack. Although the 6’3” senior has been in a bit of a scoring skid since January, he still remains the team leader with an 18.8 average. “He is a very unselfish player,” Wicker commented. “He is a good passer with good vision on

son, Andy Jennings and John Smith. Third row: Jeff Wanemacher, Tracy Klingerman, Mark Senff, Ryan Meister and Zak Lender. Fourth row: Head Coach Ned Wicker and Assistant Coach Doug Snyder.

the court.” Meister, Anders’ front line partner, has been an important player for Triton in the later part of the season. With Anders struggling in somewhat of a scoring slump, Meister came on to pick up the slack. He is currently averaging 16.7 points and seven rebounds per contest. He has been over the 30 point mark twice this year. “Ryan has really come on for us,” said Wicker. “We weren’t sure when he was going to bust out, but he has been playing well. I think we are fortunate to have two forwards who are putting it together.” The third starting front liner, junior center Mark Senff, has been the brightest surprise for Wicker. Having

played exclusively on the junior varsity last year, Senff came into this season eager but inexperienced. But Senff has apparently settled into the routine of varsity action. “He is our most consistent player at this point,” noted Wicker. “He hasn’t had a game below 12 points since sometime in mid January.” The Sectional “I just hope that our kids realize they can play with any of the teams in this sectional,” Wicker said. The statistics appear to bear out his claim. The Trojans lost to three of the sectional schools, but by a combined total of 11 points. The worst defeat was a 72-67 loss to Wawasee. Triton did not face Warsaw during the regular season. “We seem to be playing our best basketball at this

Triton Trojans 1983-84 Season Record THS OPP Caston 49 57 Bremen 47 64 Tippecanoe Valley 62 66 La Ville 53 48 Plymouth 55 73 Wawasee 67 72 Culver 50 52 Argos 65 77 John Glenn 53 69 Northfield 75 61 Jimtown 56 65 North Miami 60 55 New Prairie 76 58 Rochester 57 59 Argos 77 47 Whitko 75 88 North Wood 55 70

T R 0 J A N S

point in the season,” Wicker added. “We feel as though we peaked in the Whitko game (a contest which Whitko won 88-75 in overtime).” “If we are going to do well, we are going to have to play like we have in the last four or five ball games,” he concluded. “This is one of the most competitive sectionals in the area.” The Trojans are averaging 61 points per contest offensively. Defensively, Triton is allowing 63 points per contest. From the field, Triton is hitting 45 percent of its shots. Foul shooting, howver, has been a sore spot the entire year. The Trojans have hit only 61 percent of their charities, a figure that will have to rise if they are to find post-season success.