Gage Riffle fires Triton boys basketball to IHSAA 1A semi-state title
Triton senior Gage Riffle charges fourth quarter rally to launch Trojans past North Vermillion and into IHSAA Class 1A state finals.
LAFAYETTE ― Triton senior guard Gage Riffle and his team never panicked after struggling to connect from 3-point range in the first half. It took 10 misses before one shot from beyond the arc fell in the third quarter and turned the tide into what became a climatic final minute for the IHSAA Class 1A semi-state championship against North Vermillion Saturday, March 21 at the Crawley Center in Lafayette. "I just had to stay confident because I'm a shooter and be a team player," Riffle said.
A lane violation was called on North Vermillion during a made free throw by Falcons' leading scorer, Teagan Leonard, with 1:06 in regulation, taking away a point that would have given North Vermillion the lead. The unforced error by the Falcons opened an opportunity for Riffle, who had his hands ready to fire after senior Julian Swanson drew a double team near the left elbow. Swanson swung the ball to Riffle who fired and swished a 3-pointer, putting his team ahead, 48-45, with 46.
5 seconds to play. More: IHSAA class 1A semi-state boys basketball preview More: Patrick, Riffle lead Triton boys basketball into IHSAA semi-state Riffle's go-ahead bucket helped secure Triton the victory over North Vermillion 51-45, capturing the program's sixth IHSAA Class 1A semi-state title in the process. View this post on Instagram Triton (26-3) will play Barr-Reeve in IHSAA Class 1A state championship game next Saturday, March 28 at 10:30 a.
m. at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Riffle finished with a game high 14 points, while Swanson and Jayden Overmyer each added 10 points to overcome its early shooting struggles.