This wasn't the same team from two weeks ago. Not by a long shot. The Taylorville boys basketball who two weeks ago lost 75-39 to this Triad Knights team, were determined not to be that same team. They proved on Friday night that they weren't despite suffering a tough loss. Immediately from the opening tip things felt different. Triad got a quick three from Mac Musgrave but Taylorville responded immediately after they slowed the game down and hit a field goal of their own. With the tempo slowed down, Triad ended up playing Taylorville's game and struggled at it. Shots weren't falling, and defense became king. Taylorville trailed at the end of the first quarter 7-4.
Heading into the second quarter, Taylorville again took their time setting up plays, and having long possessions. Taylorville struggled to get any offense going only finding two points from Blake Ladage near the beginning of the quarter. Triad didn't find much more success than Taylorville as Musgrave got a three and Nolan Keller found twine. Taylorville trailed at halftime 12-6.
It felt going into the third quarter, that at any moment Triad would pull away, but it didn't happen. Staunch defense from Taylorville continued as they allowed a field goal to Tyler Thompson and a few free throws from Justin Schrage, but the Tornadoes found points from Malique Pearse who drained two 3's and Maddyx Owens who added two points. Taylorville had a chance to take a lead against Triad, but Malique Pearse couldn't drain the free throws. Still Taylorville found themselves tied going into the fourth quarter at 14.
Coach Ryan Brown praised Pearse saying "It's not easy when you have athletes who are go go go and you tell them they have to slow the game down and play a slow tempo." Pearse handled point all night, and had a great night. In the fourth quarter, it was Brock Brown's turn to hit two 3 pointers and Blake Ladage added a bucket. Triad found points from Tyler Thompson, Nolan Keller and Justin Schrage, with a free throw from Musgrave. Triad got hte ball with 8 seconds left in the fourth quarter, but couldn't score despite three tries and the game went into overtime tied at 22.
In overtime, Taylorville took an early lead courtesy of a quick fieldgoal from Pearse, but Triad's Lucas Thompson would add a three and despite Taylorville outshooting Triad in overtime, Tyler Thompson went a perfect 8/8 from the free throw line in overtime, and Taylorville couldn't get the job done despite Brock Brown hitting a three pointer that cut the defecit to three with .03 seconds left. Triad picked up a trip to the championship game with a 35-30 victory.
Taylorville will play the third place game against Marquette Catholic Saturday morning at 9 AM. Maddyx Owens was named the WTIM Nicole Patrick Country Financial Player of the game for his strong defensive game.
Leading point scorers: Taylorville; Brock Brown 11, Malique Pearse 11, Blake Ladage 4. Triad: Tyler Thompson 15, Mac Musgrave 11, Nolan Keller, Justin Schrage 4.
1 2 3 4 OT F
Taylorville 4 2 8 8 8 30
Triad 7 5 4 8 13 35
