Trinity Outlasts late Beloit Comeback, faces Sterling in Championship

    The Trinity Celtics outlasted the Beloit Trojans and left the Gleason Center victorious 62-57.
      Both Trinity and Beloit came out hot, combining for thirty-five points in the first quarter. Tate Thompson paced the Trojans in the first quarter, Trinity’s scoring was spread among the Celtics. Conor Remar(18 pts) dominated the second period, but  Beloit kept it close and the Celtics went into the break ahead by five 36-31.
     The third period was a back and forth affair, a balanced Trinity offense had three double-digit scorers, Beloit; led by Vincent Palen (18 pts) and Hudson Smith (11 pts) nearly matched the Celtics point for point, Trinity led 50-44 into the fourth quarter. Trinity’s Hammeke brothers, Lucas and Kaleb who had 13 and 15 respectively kept the Celtics ahead; despite the efforts of Hudson Smith(11 pts) and Tate Thompson(8 pts). In the last two minutes, Trinity struggled from the charity stripe, this along with a couple of timely three by Beloit, had the Celtics with a one-possession lead in the last 20 seconds with Beloit in possession. A well-timed steal by the Celtics iced the game.
​     Trinity will face Sterling for the SIT championship at 7:30 pm at the Gleason Center. Sterling defeated Trinity earlier this year 91-75. Trinity last won the SIT in 2009, Sterling in 2012. Beloit will face Southeast of Saline in an all NCAA 3rd Place game.