Guards Play Big For Triton
Anthony Gadson
Sports Writer
BOURBON - The comraderie between Triton's backcourt is evident.
Sitting at the same table during this week's Media Day at Triton High School, junior Ben Montalbano and senior Joel Meister joked with each other until it was time for them to leave and enjoy at meal at Hacienda.
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From there, it was off for a Will Ferrell movie marathon.
"I'm shake and (Meister's) bake," Montalbano said, referring to the Ferrell flick Talledega Nights, which stars Ferrell and John C. Reilly.
"I shake, then pass it off to (Meister), so he can bake it, or finish it," he added.
In the movie, Ferrell and Reilly team up to dominate the NASCAR circuit.
In reality, Montalbano and Meister have teamed up to push the third-ranked Triton Trojans into Saturday's 10:30 a.m. Class 1A state championship game at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis against top-ranked Jac-Cen-Del.
"I don't think anyone could have predicted we'd be back at state," Meister said.
After winning the state title last season, this year's Triton team brought in four new starters, including Montalbano and Meister.
"We kind of took it personally when people underestimated us, saying we may be able to win 12 to 15 games," Montalbano said. "We knew we could be pretty good."
Starting the season at 15-0, the Trojans silenced their critics, but it didn't take the players that long to recognize their potential.
"We felt pretty good after defeating NorthWood, and starting the season at 3-0," Meister said. "But once we beat North Miami (in our fourth game), that really got it started."
At 24-2, the Trojans' only two slipups were against Bremen and Rochester, a team that will be vying for the Class 3A state championship Saturday at 6 p.m. against Princeton.
Despite the presence of Bethel College-bound senior Colton Keel and sharpshooter Griffyn Carpenter, it's hard to believe the Trojans could be where they are without Montalbano and Meister.
"I'd say the most improved from the end of last season through the summer was Joel," Triton coach Jason Groves said. "But as far as improving from the beginning of the season, to where we are now, I'd say Ben has improved the most."
On last year's team, Meister averaged 1.9 points a game, 0.6 assists and a rebound. As a senior, he's averaging 13.7 points, 2.4 assists, 2.3 steals and 3.8 rebounds a game.
"I've been more aggressive," Meister said. "Last year, I didn't have to score, because there were six guys ahead of me that were better at it."
And with all the improvement, he's drawn the assignment of guarding Jac-Cen-Del's 6-foot-2 senior Matt Gehl, who's averaging 20.7 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 4.9 apg, 3.5 spg and 1.4 blocks.
"They have a solid team," Meister said.
While Meister was picking up some time on the court last year, Montalbano spent most of his time on the bench, playing behind Times-Union Co-Player of the Year A.J. Harrison.
Spending most of his time on the junior varsity, Montalbano displayed talent, but would sometimes get himself into trouble with erratic play. However, this year, he's turned that around, averaging 5.8 assists a game.
"He would try a little too hard on the JV," Groves said about Montalbano. "With so many guys on the varsity, he didn't have too many offensive weapons."
This year, he's got plenty of weapons.
"I'm always looking to penetrate, then dish it to Joel, Colton or Griffyn," Montalbano said.
With the slashing Meister in the backcourt, along Carpenter, who shoots 42 percent from three-point range, Montalbano's other option can be to Keel in the post, where he's averaged 16.9 points a game.
"Teams can't really suck their defenses in, because Carpenter's out there, and that just opens things up inside," Montalbano said.
And in the state finals, Triton fans hope that continues, making the Trojans' attempt to be the first Class 1A team to repeat as champions a successful one.
"Our mindset is to win a championship," Groves said. "The kids kind of expect that."
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