Trinity’s Ecker twins rock rim, Hiller Hall
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Zach Ecker, left, is averaging 14.1 points and 12 rebounds per game in his second year in the starting lineup for Trinity. In his first year as a constant in the starting lineup, Jeff Ecker averages eight points, seven rebounds and three blocks.
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Zach Ecker reaches back for a slam dunk at practice.
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Jeff Ecker goes for a slam dunk during practice.
In the middle of a summer league game, Trinity boys basketball coach Tim Tessmer turned to his assistants sitting on the bench as Zach Ecker threw down another thunderous dunk.
“This winter is going to be fun,” Tessmer told them.
This season has been on Tessmer’s mind for some time. The Hillers entire starting lineup is constructed of seniors and it’s been a joyful ride so far.
The Hillers are 6-2 in Section 1 play and 12-4 overall heading into tonight’s section game against Laurel Highlands at Hiller Hall. They have the second most wins in Class 5A, firmly in a spot for a playoff berth and possibly a section title.
“When I took over the program, these guys were in eighth grade,” Tessmer said. “We identified them early and knew they could play. We told them to do it the right way, keep working and keep believing and we would get there.”
But this season has meant something more to 6-7 forwards, and fraternal twins, Zach and Jeff Ecker. The seniors are every-night starters for the first time in their varsity careers.
“We started playing together in elementary school because Zach was always a basketball guy and he pulled me away from playing soccer,” Jeff said. “As we went on, it shifted as to who would play more. We both just decided to start really working hard together.”
From one-on-one games to playing in their driveway in those childhood days, the two share a role that Trinity has struggled to find: tall, effective post players.
The Eckers have provided a post presence the Hillers can merge with the guard play of Joey Koroly and Dylan Kern, multiple-year starters for Trinity.
“What they’ve brought to the table as far as an interior presence has been huge for us,” Tessmer said. “We do a lot of stuff for Joey and Dylan, but having (Zach and Jeff’s) size makes their job a whole heck of a lot easier.”
Having the success together has made their senior year – Jeff’s first as starter – a memorable one.
“You really do have to work a lot harder to rise above that challenge,” Jeff said of limited playing time before cracking the starting lineup.
“It’s a really difficult challenge. I look back at all the hard times and think if I knew what it would lead to, like it has this year, then it wouldn’t have seemed as hard. It’s been extremely rewarding.”
The Eckers have combined for 22.1 points and 19.5 rebounds per game, highlighted by several thunderous dunks and alley-oops from Zach that have rocked Hiller Hall.
“I started last year but it feels a lot different this season,” Zach said. “I’m a lot more comfortable. I was more of a role guy last season and have embrace something a little bit bigger this year. To be able to share that with my brother is an awesome feeling. I don’t know how many brothers can say this but we are best friends.”
Facilitating the post has taken precedence over filling up the score sheet.
“We definitely take pride in it,” Jeff said. “It’s cool to see the threes go in and all the flashy shots. We don’t have the skill to do that. When you don’t have that, you have to make up for it with effort.”
The hard work put in by the Ecker brothers didn’t go unnoticed by Tessmer, who is hoping Trinity’s balanced scoring – the Hillers have scored the second-most points in Class 5A – leads the Hillers beyond first-round playoff exits the past two seasons.
“Looking at their growth over the four years, it’s a highlight of what hard work and dedication does for a kid,” Tessmer said. “They might be late bloomers but they’re working really hard to get there. We don’t talk about history or doing something better than it’s been done before. We just talk about trying to win the day.”
It’s a winning mentality that the Hillers, especially the six seniors, have been attempting to tap into since circling the 2017-18 season as the one when it was all going to come together.
“I heard someone say potential is work not yet done,” Zach said. “Everyone has always known we’ve had potential and this year we are starting to fulfill that work. We still have work that needs done but are in a position to do just that.”