Veteran group returns for Trojans
BOURBON — Triton had a great season a year ago, highlighted by 20 wins, a sectional title and a strong showing as a regional finalist. With most of the roster back, the coaching staff is optimistic about the new season.
“On paper, we have the potential to be very good,” said Triton head coach Jason Groves, now in his 17th year. “Many of our guys have been playing for 2, 3, or 4 years. We return five of our top six scorers, all of whom can shoot, so we definitely have the pieces to have a very good season. However, as always, it comes down to leadership, coming together and playing together as a team, dealing with adversity throughout the season, and having that desire to improve individually and as a team every day in practice.
“I like this group. We have some big goals, but we know that it will be hard. Hopefully, we will embrace that everything we want to achieve will not be easy.”
Back to lead the way are senior letterwinners Ashton Oviedo, Tyson Yates, Bruce Johnson, Cole Mckinney, Connor Large and sophomore Cole Shively. Newcomers to watch include senior Caden Graham, a transfer from Northwood, along with juniors Chandler Westafer and Evan Briles, sophomores Jacob Pitney and Javan May, plus freshman Dante Workman.
Groves is assisted by Blake Schori (varsity assistant), Taylor Long (JV), and Tanner Shepherd (freshman/c team).
Look for the Trojans to be one of the better Hoosier North Athletic Conference teams, but according the Groves, nothing will come easy in the HNAC.
“I really feel that our conference is going to be very good,” the coach said. “Caston and North Judson have a ton of guys returning and will be very good. Culver and Winamac have some key guys returning and will be very good as well. Laville, Knox, and Pioneer will all come up with good teams even though they lose some of their main pieces because they are well coached. We lost three good seniors who had all our size, so we will need to make up for that by becoming mentally and physically tougher. As always, it will be a fun and exciting conference battle.”
Argos will most likely be Triton’s toughest competition come sectional time, but Trinity Greenlawn has been added to Sectional 50 this year. The Trojans defeated the Titans by just one point a year ago and will host them this year on Feb. 8. Other schedule highlights include the usual early-season back-to-back of Plymouth (Nov. 30) and Northwood (Dec. 3). Glenn visits the Trojan Trench on Jan. 7. The Bi-county Tournament is Jan. 18-22. Key HNAC games include a home game versus North Judson on Jan. 29 and at Caston Feb. 5. Logansport has been added to the schedule this year and that will be a road test right after Christmas break (Jan. 4).
Triton Trojans
Coach: Jason Groves, 275-119 in 17th year at school Nov. 24 at Oregon-davis 1A 7:00 pm
Nov. 30 Plymouth 4A 7:30 pm
Dec. 3 Northwood 3A 7:30 pm
Dec. 7 Lakeland Christian 1A 7:30 pm
Dec. 10 Pioneer 1A © 7:30 pm
Dec. 14 Bethany Christian 1A 7:30 pm
Dec. 17 at Winamac 2A © 7:30 pm
Jan. 4 at Logansport 4A 7:30 pm
Jan. 7 John Glenn 3A 7:30 pm
Jan. 14 at Culver 1A © 7:30 pm
Jan. 18 N Bi-county Tournament TBA thru Jan. 22 Jan. 25 Elkhart Christian 1A 7:30 pm
Jan. 29 North Judson 2A © 7:30 pm
Feb. 3 Argos 1A 7:30 pm
Feb. 5 at Caston 1A © 2:30 pm
Feb. 8 Trinity Greenlawn 1A 7:30 pm
Feb. 11 Laville 2A © 7:30 pm
Feb. 15 Rochester 2A 7:30 pm
Feb. 18 at Tippecanoe Valley 3A 7:30 pm
Feb. 22 at Bremen 2A 7:30 pm
Feb. 25 Knox 3A © 8:00 pm
© HOOSIER NORTH CONFERENCE GAME