Trojans Seize Control of Race for Region 4 Top Seed

Basketball stereotypically comes down to the final couple of minutes with all the preceding action merely an appetizer to drama.

But sometimes a game can be won early when one player's marksmanship sets the tempo. Triton guard Linarys Burnett-Romero was that role model in the Trojans' 60-56 victory over Highland Community College Saturday in Freeport, Ill.

Burnett-Romero nailed a trio of three-pointers late in the first quarter, sparking the 12-3 Trojans' to a 23-13 lead at the end of the period. Another Burnett-Romero trey widened the lead to 35-19 midway through the second quarter, putting the Cougars back on their heels.

The hosts never seriously threatened the rest of the way with Burnett-Romero's long-distance efforts like wisely-invested funds drawing interest.

A minute after her final trey, Burnett-Romero fell hard to the court, injuring an elbow. She gamely returned in the second half as the Trojans' offense shifted a lower gear.

Yet Triton was able to play lockdown defense. Highland All-American Abby Barr was equally hot as Burnett-Romero, totaling 21 points through three quarters. But coach Marques Hatch crafted an adjustment, Barr was held scoreless in the fourth quarter and any Cougars' comeback attempts were hobbled.

"She was the spark," Hatch said of Burnett-Romero. "We couldn't make some open shots early. But once she hit those threes, it opened it up for us."

Hatch was just as proud of Burnett-Romero returned to duty in the second half, even with a throbbing elbow that the coach likened to hitting "kind of a funny bone in your arm."

"She gutted it out," Hatch said. "Anytime she's on the court, you have to be aware of her. Her leadership and heart were evident today – something that is not there on box score."

Burnett-Romero knew she had to take the court even at much less than 100 %. The Trojans dressed seven players and already had a height disadvantage against the taller Cougars.

Burnett-Romero's quartet of treys represented her total production of 12 points, matching fellow guard Maya White Eagle for Trojan-high. Also hitting timely shots were Temya Russell with 10 points, Kendra Hatley and Monraia Wilson with nine each, and Keisy Alvarez with eight.

Cougars star Barr, averaging 18.7 points per game, was 8-for-15 shooting with nine rebounds. Hatch knew he had to counter her down the stretch. The Trojans adjusted to force Barr's teammates to take the shots.

"Barr is a terror on there side," Hatch said. "She's extremely efficient. We definitely wanted to crowd her space. We wanted someone else to try to put up points, and get the ball out of her hands."

Overall, Triton held Highland to just 35 % shooting. The Cougars had to shake off some competitive cobwebs as their three games since the start of the year had been canceled due to Covid issues.

Triton gained even more confidence against Region IV rival Highland, now 8-5. The victory was their first meeting since Triton won 62-58 in Freeport last April to win its first regional title since 1994.

The contest stood as another potential title game preview this year. Triton and Highland are No. 1 and 2, respectively, in Region IV Division I standings. However, if the teams meet again in March, Saturday's win for Triton likely means the possible rematch will be played at the Collins Center in River Grove.
 
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(Story by tritonathletics.com contributor George Castle)