Schools
Triton Downs District Rival Timber Creek
Brian Keller and Dylan Daniluk helped put the Mustangs on solid footing for a postseason berth.
RUNNEMEDE—After getting off to a slow start this season against some of South Jersey’s elite teams, it appears the Triton boys’ basketball team is finally hitting its stride.
The Mustangs (5-5) reached the .500 mark for the first time this season with Tuesday’s 60-43 win over Black Horse Pike Regional School District rival Timber Creek (3-7). The Mustangs were led by center Brian Keller, who finished with a game-high 24 points and 16 rebounds.
While Triton isn’t celebrating a .500 record, it’s been an impressive turn of events for the once 0-4 Mustangs.
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Head coach Butch McClain knew it was just a matter of time before his team would benefit from its brutal early season schedule. Triton’s five losses have come courtesy of Paul VI, Bishop Eustace, Eastern, Woodrow Wilson and Cherry Hill East—five teams whose combined record was an astounding 45-8 entering play Tuesday.
"We took a positive out of each one of those games," McLean said of the early-season schedule. "We had periods where we played those teams really well. We outscored those teams in quarters, but it was just a matter of getting some consistency."
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The Mustangs turned their fortunes around with a dramatic 60-56 road win against then-undefeated Shawnee (9-3), and have used that big win to provide momentum for a run of five wins in their last six contests.
The impressive stretch has Triton back in the mix for a South Jersey Group 4 playoff berth.
"We actually came out slow in that game, but we picked it up and just played with such great emotion," he said. "We were really able to shut down their top scorers in that game."
But Triton came out hot Tuesday night, hitting six of its first seven three-point field goals on the way to building a commanding 26-6 lead midway through the second quarter.
"We had some guys like Dylan Daniluk, Donte Vaughan, and Keller come out hot early, but the defensive effort was what was really impressive at the start," said McLean. "We started in straight man-to-man and our kids really just won the matchups."
Timber Creek, led by Trenton Catholic transfer Dominique Reid's 15 points, tried to get back into the game, but could never cut the deficit to single digits.
The Mustangs will try to continue their hot streak at home on Jan. 23 when they play host to perennial South Jersey powerhouse Camden Catholic. Tip-off is set for 5:45 p.m.