“A total team effort” said Trojan Head Coach Brian Gunter in his post game comments. “We were 1 – 1 after Tri-Village and they got us pretty good at their place. We were all in the locker room after that game and we said we were going to take it one game at a time. We kept saying, ‘the next step, the next step’ and next thing you know, we’re here playing for a share of the title.”

“Our kids re-committed themselves after that first weekend” stated Gunter. “Everybody dug in and worked hard at practice. We were 5-5 after we beat Marion Local and that started our huge push into the conference games. We got a big win against Twin Valley South and a huge win at home against Franklin Monroe and we just kept going. These guys pushed each other. We started to gel as a team; making extra passes, team chemistry; everything improved.”

One of the big improvements at the end of the season was the coming out party of Brenton Balsbaugh as one of the dominate post players in the CCC. At the end of the 3rd quarter he showed why and the Trojan Big Man took over the remainder of the quarter that provided that game changing moment.

The Bees played the Trojans tough through 2 and half quarters after fighting through injuries over the last 2 to 3 weeks. Scott Masin did not start either half of the game for the Bees but made a huge contribution to help keep the Bees within striking distance.

At the 4 minute mark Grant Samuels stick back put the Bees within 2 points, 36 – 38, Balsbaugh countered for the Trojans and sank to free throws that extended the Trojan lead to 4.

The next possession for the Trojans, Balsbaugh had a nice drive from the left wing for a reverse layup that put the Trojans up 6, 36 – 42.

The Bees called a timeout to slow down the Trojans but they could not generate any offense to close the gap.

The next play for the Trojans began the process of spreading the icing on the cake of their co-conference championship. Balsbaugh followed up a missed shot that came off the front of the rim and gathered in the rebound with one hand and firmly stuck the ball back through the rim for a stickback dunk that brought the Arcanum faithful to their feet.

Bethel turned the ball over on their next trip down the floor and Seth Paulus finished of the run for the Trojans with a baseline jumper that gave Arcanum a 10 point lead at the end of the 3rd quarter, 46-36.

The Bees couldn’t muster enough of a run and closest they came to Arcanum was 7 points at the 3 minute mark. The Trojan defense made enough deflections in the Bees passing lanes to disrupt their offense to open up a 13 point margin of victory by the sound of the game ending buzzer. The Trojan basketball program and community began their celebration with a 58 – 45 victory over the Bees.

“31-27 at half time and we held them to 18 points in the second half. That is what wins championships” noted Gunter. “Our hands were active, we got to loose balls, we started to rebound better and I think that was the key.”

“Brenton Balsbaugh just played huge they way he ran the floor and making big shots” stated Gunter.

On winning their first conference title since 1987; “Our kids talked about it this summer. They worked hard and they said ‘let’s go for a championship.’ We just took it one game at a time. It’s great for the program after winning a sectional championship last year and to follow it up with a conference championship. You can’t ask for more. It just helps the entire program with all the involvement. The support and the following we received from the community this season has just been absolutely incredible.”

On a side note: To put things in perspective since Arcanum’s last conference championship in 1987; the senior class on that team have or will be turning 40 this year. Ronald Reagan was the commander in chief, the price of gas was .89 cents a gallon and it cost 3 bucks to see your favorite movie at the theater. How time flies when you’re having fun!

Arcanum shares the conference title with Miami East who finished the season with an 80 – 49 victory over Tri-County North. In the last 7 out of 10 years, the conference title has been shared on the boy’s side of the conference while the girl’s title has not had a co-champion since 1993.

Scoring by quarters

Arcanum..19…31…46…58
Bethel…..17…27…36…45

Arcanum
Balsbaugh – 23 (3 – 3)
Bruner – 9 (2 – 4)
Greve – 9 (2 – 2)
Means – 11 (1 – 2)
Paulus – 6
Total – 58 (8 – 11)

Bethel
James – 9
Masin – 17 (3 – 4)
Samuel – 8
Sutton – 7
Walters - 4