By Jeff Hodge
Contributing Writer
LAFAYETTE – Sixth-ranked Lafayette Central Catholic entered its March 21 Class A Lafayette Jefferson Semistate rematch with defending state champion Triton on a 12-game winning streak. But CC – the small-school state titleist itself in 1998, 2000, and 2003 – could not stretch that streak to 13 as third-ranked Triton prevailed, 50-47.
The Trojans (24-2) return to Conseco Fieldhouse Saturday for the 1A championship game opposite top-ranked Jac-Cen-Del (24-2), a 38-32 Seymour Semistate winner over No. 7 North Daviess.
Central Catholic (20-7) jumped out to 8-0 lead in the game’s first 2:45, including junior Chris Mills’ 3-pointer. But after a Triton timeout, the Trojans went on their own 8-0 run behind an inside bucket from senior William Keel, junior guard Benjamin Montalbano’s basket, and a three by sophomore Griffyn Carpenter to tie the game with 1:22 remaining in the first quarter.
The teams ended the first quarter deadlocked at 12 after the frantic start.
Triton got a three by Carpenter and a layup by Keel in the first 1:08 of the second quarter to go up 17-12 before CC senior Dru Anthrop stopped the bleeding with a 3-pointer. But Triton tallied buckets from Keel, Carpenter, and Montalbano as well as a triple by Carpenter over the next three minutes to end the first half with a 25-22 lead.
After CC’s hot start, the Trojan defense picked up and held the Knights to just 26-percent shooting (8 of 31) for the opening half, including a paltry 4 of 18 from 3-pointland. Montalbono led the Trojans with 10 first-half points, while Anthrop paced the Knights with seven on just 3-of-12 shooting.
Central Catholic managed to take a 36-32 lead with 2:03 remaining in the third quarter, but the Trojans went on a 6-0 run to finish the period leading 38-36. Triton was the picture of efficiency in going 5 of 9 from the field while holding CC to just 6-of-17 accuracy.
With the hometown Knights looking to avenge last season’s 52-51 semistate loss to Triton, the stage was set for a nail-biting finish. Central Catholic took a 45-44 lead with 3:48 to play behind five points from Mills and four from Anthrop before Triton tied the game at 47 with 30.6 seconds remaining.
The Trojans then hit on three of four free throws down the stretch, while Anthrop’s final 3-point attempt to tie missed short. Rematch: Triton.
Central Catholic was led in scoring by Anthrop’s 19 points, while Mills added 12 in defeat. Triton was led by Carpenter’s 14 points, with Keel adding 13 and Montalbano 12.
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