By George Bremer
heraldbulletin.com
NEW CASTLE – There are rally killers.
And then there are Rally Killers.
Anderson guard Troy Taylor’s three-quarters court shot at the end of the third quarter certainly falls into the latter category. Taylor’s bomb squashed a key Pendleton Heights’ run and led the Indians to a 73-50 victory in the first round of the Class 4A sectional at New Castle on Tuesday.
“That’s a jump shot for him,” Anderson coach Ron Hecklinski said. “If you ask Troy, he’ll tell you that’s a jump shot for him. His 3-point percentage hasn’t been very great this year so he’ll take a 3-pointer any time he can get it. That was a great momentum breaker for them and a great play for us.”
Anderson led 48-35 as time was winding down in the third period. After turning the ball over 11 times and falling behind by 19 points at the half, Pendleton Heights was finally settling into a rhythm.
The Arabians had cut eight points off their deficit, and a score on this possession would put them in striking distance at the start of the fourth quarter. Freshman Kendall Waters rose up for the jumper and missed.
Taylor grabbed the rebound near the free-throw line and, in one fluid motion, flicked the ball toward the opposite basket. He’d attempted a similar shot at the end of the first half and drawn iron. This time the ball found nothing but net.
“As soon as it left my hands, I thought it was good,” Taylor said. “I tried one at the end of the half, and it rimmed out. I was hoping I would have a chance to shoot another one.”
Taylor said he and a few teammates practice the shot during their free time at every practice. He’s seen NBA stars LeBron James and Dwight Howard make similar shots, and it inspired him to try his own.
“It’s something we all like to do in our free time,” he said.
Few get the opportunity to do it in a game, however.
Then again, few players are as talented as the Indians’ star. He finished with a game-high 25 points and 14 rebounds.
“Obviously, the points he puts up are impressive,” Arabians coach Brian Hahn said. “But he had 14 rebounds tonight. He can accomplish so much on both ends of the court. He’s been a great player for them throughout his career.”
Taylor had plenty of help Tuesday.
Anderson (18-4) built its early lead on the strength of a suffocating pressure defense. Pendleton Heights (12-9) turned the ball over on four of its first five possessions, and the Tribe scored the first eight points of the game.
“They’re a young and talented team,” Anderson coach Ron Hecklinski said. “But they hadn’t been in the sectional before, and they hadn’t seen that kind of pressure before. It allowed us to get some scores and allowed us to get an early lead.”
The Arabians settled down enough to cut their deficit to 13-8, but the Indians answered with an 11-0 run spanning the end of the first quarter and the start of the second. Pendleton Heights never got closer than 12 the rest of the way.
“What really put us in a bad spot was the start,” Hahn said. “We got down early, and with the style we play coming back against Anderson was going to be a tall task.”
Nathan Hendershot led Pendleton Heights with 15 points, and freshman point guard Kendall Waters finished with 12.
Joshua McGhee scored 18 points for the Indians, and the Tribe had three other players with at least eight. The Tribe also outrebounded the Arabians 35-19.
The balance on offense is a welcome return for Anderson.
“We all realize we’re better when we use each other instead of just trying to do everything as individuals,” Taylor said. “When we make the extra pass, it’s that much harder for the other team to guard us.”
Hahn wasn’t happy with the final result, but he was pleased with the way his team grew throughout the season.
“We did a great job all year long,” he said, “and this game doesn’t take anything away from that.”
Hecklinski was happy to see his defense come out with renewed vigor, but he expects nothing less at tournament time.
“When you get into the tournament, you better bring the intensity,” he said. “If you don’t come ready to play, you’re going to be out of the tournament. Intensity is an intangible; you can bring the intensity any time.”
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