Trinity hands Wash High painful loss
Katie Roupe/Observer-Reporter The HillersþÄô student section cheers after a player scores three points during the first half of the game against Wash High on Monday, February 13.
Washington’s Isaiah Robinson drives to the basket for a layup Monday night against Trinity at Hiller Hall.
Trinity’s Saul Wells, left, and Jeff Ecker battle for a rebound with Washington’s Isaiah Schoonmaker during Monday night’s game at Hiller Hall.
Trinity’s Joey Koroly loses control of the basketball while attempting to split the defense of, from left, Washington’s Matt Popeck, Jordan Swart and Isaiah Schoonmaker during the first half Monday night.
Washington’s Matt Popeck left Monday night’s game against Trinity after injuring his left ankle during the first half.
Katie Roupe/Observer-Reporter The Wash High PrexiesþÄô student section reacts to a call during the first half of the game against Trinity on Monday, February 13.
On the surface, the boys basketball game Monday night between Trinity and Washington high schools was only a tuneup for more important games. It was a nonsection contest between playoff-bound teams on the final night of the regular season, after the WPIAL’s basketball steering committee had done much of its legwork in the postseason seeding process.
Just don’t tell the Hillers and Prexies that this one was just another game.
Playing before a loud and raucous crowd, Trinity gained much momentum for the playoffs by defeating Washington 50-33 at Hiller Hall.
It was the first win for Trinity (14-8) over Washington (18-4) since the 2011-12 season and ended the Prexies’ 15-game winning streak.
“That was a great atmosphere,” Trinity coach Tim Tessmer said. “We wanted to play in front of a large crowd to get us ready for the playoff games.
“I think the kids on both sides love to play this game. Come watch them play in the middle of July at the Brownson House and the place is full. We knew that if there was a chance to get Wash High back on the schedule, then it would be something good.”
Washington’s first trip to Trinity in six years was a painful one for the Prexies, literally and figuratively.
The Prexies suffered an injury that was costly in this game and could loom large come playoff time. Senior guard Matt Popeck, who last week became the leading scorer in Wash High boys basketball history, suffered a left ankle injury in the second quarter. He scored only two points and left the gymnasium at halftime with ice wrapped around the ankle.
Without him, Wash High lacked an offensive identity and had trouble creating open shots.
With the potential of the playoffs beginning as early as Friday, Popeck’s injury could not come at a worse time.
“It is bad timing,” Wash High coach Ron Faust said, “but you can’t look at the situation like that. We had made our mind up that we were going to play a tough schedule. And that injury could have happened any night.”
On this night, it came with Wash High misfiring from the field and free-throw line and Trinity building a lead. The Hillers, who led 12-8 after one quarter, went on a 13-2 run during the second quarter to turn a one-point advantage into a 25-13 gap. Joe Koroly, who scored a game-high 15 points, and Dauson Marry made consecutive three-pointers to give Trinity a 23-13 lead.
Koroly and Marry would make big shots from behind the arc again in the second half.
“For the last couple of weeks, we’ve seen some situations in which we have to play better against a good team, and Trinity is a good team. They proved that tonight. They kicked our butts every way possible. That was outstanding on their part. … We have some people who have to contribute more.”
Wash High did swing the momentum in the third quarter. The Prexies were able to quicken the pace of play and drive to the rim for layups. Isaiah Robinson and Isaiah Schoonmaker began dominating on the boards and the Prexies went on a 10-0 run – five different players scored during the spurt – to close to within 28-26.
Trinity stemmed the tide when Jeff Ecker made a power move for a basket, Koroly made another three-pointer and Ecker took a pass from Dylan Kern for a layup that gave Trinity a 35-26 advantage.
Without Popeck, Wash High simply didn’t have enough offensive firepower to fuel a comeback. The Prexies did hold Trinity without a basket for the first four minutes of the fourth quarter and closed to within 37-31, but Marry made a corner three-pointer in front of the Trinity bench that triggered a clinching 11-0 run by the Hillers.
“Dausen’s shot was one of those where you wonder if he should take it or pass it up and run more time off the clock,” Tessmer said. “He told me, ‘Coach, I had the dagger. I had to take it.’ That was the biggest basket of the game.”
If the WPIAL steering committee hasn’t finalized its playoff seeding, Trinity’s win and Popeck’s injury could give the group much to think about before the pairings are revealed a little after 7 p.m. tonight.
“Matt’s injury changed everything in this game,” Tessmer said. “It made them one-dimensional. He’s a heck of a player and losing him changes what you do. You can’t replace 25 points per game, especially on the fly.”
Jacob Swartz led Wash High with 10 points. The Prexies did hammer Trinity on the boards, outrebounding the Hillers 47-32 but Wash High couldn’t overcome 24 turnovers and making only five of 16 free throws.
“Trinity showed our warts tonight,” Faust said. “If we don’t do something about them, it could be an early exit in the playoffs.”