The sting of losing the Region IV championship game last year may never go away for Triton head coach
Steve Christiansen and the members who remain this season from that squad. The runner-up medal has sat on Christiansen's desk as a constant reminder of that defeat and getting redemption and one last trip to nationals as a member of NJCAA Division II has been the Trojans motivation.
Triton steamrolled through their first two playoff games with a pair of 39-point wins over McHenry and Illinois Valley. But the Trojans saved their best effort of the Region IV Tournament for last in a 102-64 dismantling of Olive-Harvey College in Saturday's championship game at Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove. The victory punched Triton's ticket to the NJCAA Division II National Tournament in Danville, IL. For the Trojans (29-4), ranked No. 3 in the nation, it will be their sixth trip to Danville, with the most recent appearance coming in 2016 when Triton finished national runners-up.
"We've been playing like gangbusters in the playoffs," said Christiansen, who was named Region IV District 3 Coach of the Year. "I always knew this team had it in them. It was just a matter of getting everyone on the same page."
The Trojans jumped out to a 28-14 lead on the Panthers (26-7) midway through the first half en route to a 48-30 halftime advantage. The big reason for the lead was Triton's free throw shooting as the Trojans were a blistering 17-of-18 (94 percent) from the charity stripe the opening 20 minutes.
In the second half, Triton simply dominated. The Trojans started the half on a 13-4 run to increase the margin to 61-34 only three minutes out of halftime. Triton's balance and depth poured it on as the lead quickly rose to 78-41 with 10 minutes to go in the contest. The Trojans at one point led by as many as 42 points.
The win had special meaning for NJCAA All-American candidate and North Central Community College Conference Most Valuable Player
Deonta Terrell. The sophomore finished with 10 points and six rebounds to also earn all-tournament honors. However, Christiansen credits Terrell's growth since last year's title game as a catalyst for the team. "The struggle of last year has fueled (Terrell) the whole season," said Christiansen. "He has grown not only as a player, but as a leader. Once we got him in that role, our team took off."
Alondes Williams led a balanced effort of six Trojans in double-figures with 18 points and seven rebounds as the freshman was named Region IV District 3 Tournament Most Valuable Player.
Corey Shepherd was lethal from three-point range, shooting five-of-seven from beyond the arc to finish with 17 points. Shepherd was named to the all-tournament team.
Najee Brown-Henderson claimed a spot on the all-tournament team with his 12 points. Triton's bench scored 50 points led by 12 points from sophomore guard
Issaiah Hayes.
Devin Blake added 10 points for the Trojans who held Olive-Harvey to 21-of-62 shooting from the field (34 percent). Triton shot 34-of-67 from the field (49 percent).
Now the Trojans have one final goal and that is to be the team cutting down the nets in Danville. "We had some unfinished business that we took care of here at Waubonsee," said Christiansen. "Now we some more unfinished business to take care of in Danville."
You can listen for FREE to all Triton national tournament games on WRRG 88.9FM Triton College Radio and online at tritonathletics.com! Sports Information Director and Region IV Hall of Famer Tim McKinney returns to Triton Radio to provide "The Home Team Call!"
