Triad hoops break program win record
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Photo by Anthony Jones: Triad senior Ben Winslow defends the hoop during the the team’s regular season finale.
By Anthony Jones
sports.times.tribune@gmail.com
In the early months of 1970, the Rich Mason coached Triad basketball team set a new school record for single-season wins after finishing 24-6. That mark stood unmatched for 50 years until Coach Jeff Guidry tied the record with a 24-9 season in his first year leading the Knights.
But after 53 years and a 50-21 win over Jersey on Feb. 16, that record finally fell as the Knights improved to 25-6 this season.
Coach Guidry saw the 24-9 season as a key influence on the record breaking season, “We tied it back in 2020 with that group and it’s not something we’ve talked about a lot but I think that’s something these guys kind of had in the back of their mind. They were freshmen that year and they saw what the guys went through to do it, so I’m excited for them.”
Senior McGrady Noyes was proud to hit the 25 win mark, but still has his eyes set on further goals.
“It’s definitely been one of our goals throughout the season, as well as winning regionals, so we’re looking forward to playoffs and some big games,” he remarked.
The win itself came in dominant fashion against the 15-15 Panthers, as the Knights closed out their regular season.
Triad scored 17 of the first 20 points and led 17-5 at the end of the opening period. Aydin Hitt tallied a game-high six points in the first eight minutes of play.
By halftime, the Knights increased their advantage to 31-12.
A running clock was put into effect at the start of the fourth quarter due to a 47-16 lead for the home team. This helped deliver the final score of 50-23 for Triad’s victory.
Hitt and Noyes scored respective totals of 14 and 9 to lead the home side’s balanced attack. AJ Mills, Jake Stewart and Ben Winslow added on a total of 14 more to bring a total of 37 points from the senior crew of five.
“It’s our first group of four-year kids that have been through us for all four years and had some great seniors ahead of them that kind of led the way. I don’t think you can find a better group of five guys academically, athletically and off the court. They’re all going to be extremely successful as they go forward in life and I’m just fortunate and blessed to coach them,” Guidry discussed his senior core.
Postseason play opens on 6 p.m. Feb. 22 for Triad, when they will visit the Civic Memorial Eagles on their home court. A win in that matchup would advance them to a regional final on Feb. 24 in Bethalto against the winner of Highland and Jersey at 7:00 p.m.
The subsequent matchups for the Knights would be played the following week in Centralia. Mt. Vernon and Herrin are the top-seeded potential foes for the sectional semifinals and East St. Louis, Centralia and Mascoutah are among the favorites to emerge from the other half of the sectional bracket.
Noyes described the Knight’s mindset headed into the postseason, “We’re on a new mission. We’re not done, so we’ve got to take it one game at a time. We know it’s win or go home, so let’s go take care of business.”
