Head coach Jason Groves and Triton couldn’t keep pace with No. 3 Kouts in a 56-42 loss Saturday night in the Triton Boys Basketball Regional championship. InkFreeNews photo by Nick Goralczyk

By Mike Deak
InkFreeNews

BOURBON – Triton just ran out of bullets Saturday night.

Facing the No. 3 Kouts Mustangs in the Class 1-A boys basketball regional on its home court Saturday night, Triton couldn’t make up enough ground in a 56-42 loss.

A 21-7 response by Kouts after falling behind 12-9 in the first quarter was enough for the Mustangs to take command, going from three down to 11 up, 30-19, at the half. Kouts (28-2) would extend the lead to 12 after three and hold on for its first regional championship since 2001.

After pegging Caston for 33 in the semi-final, Triton’s Ashton Oviedo was held to just 3-13 shooting, 1-8 from deep, and just nine points overall. Triton (20-6) did get 19 points and five rebounds from Tyson Yates and six points and four rebounds from John Gardner.

The Kneifel twins, Parker and Hunter, combined for 27 points and 15 rebounds to pace the Mustangs. Cole and Cale Wireman added 17 total points along with eight rebounds and seven assists. Matthew Baker chipped in 12 points and four rebounds off the bench.

Kouts will take on Southwood in the Class 1-A semi-state next Saturday at Lafayette Jeff.