Dec 10, 2003 By Rob Burchianti 4 min read

WASHINGTON – Trinity coach Joe Dunn knows the best way to beat an up-tempo team is to slow things down. That’s exactly what the Hillers did in their Section 2-AAAA boys basketball opener against visiting Laurel Highlands Tuesday night.

But the Mustangs are more than simply a team that likes to run. They’re also a seasoned, senior-oriented squad that plays well as a team, and it was those factors that resulted in a 43-37 victory for coach Mark John’s squad.

Corey Nesser and J.T. Stefanik scored 11 points apiece, and Kenny Riddell added 10, including a key three-point play down the stretch, as Laurel Highlands improved to 4-0 overall and 1-0 in the section.

Trinity fell to 3-2 and 0-1.

“Give our kids credit,” John said. “They did what they had to do to win the game on the road. That’s what being veterans is all about. You have to be able to adjust.

“We’re an up-tempo-type team. I’d probably do the same thing Trinity did. It was a good coaching move on their part. They’re scrappy, they did a good job of boxing out and they do all of the little things well.”

It wasn’t enough to knock off the Mustangs, however, and Dunn tipped his cap to John and his crew.

“Nesser is a two-time, all-section player who’s got the flash and the substance,” Dunn said when asked what player his team focused on most on defense. “But I would say Laurel Highlands’ strongest quality, aside from their talent, is their unselfishness. Guys have to make a commitment to play that way, and they have.”

The Hillers were led by Joe Testa’s game-high 13 points, which included his team’s first five points when the hosts jumped out to a 5-2 lead.

Laurel Highlands tied in on 3-ponter by Andre Ramsey and took its first lead on a fake-and-drive basket by Tim Hirsch.

The Mustangs, who switched defenses often, led 11-5 after one period and 12-5 early in the second.

At that point Tim Drakeley ignited a 10-point Trinity run with three baskets, including a pair of 3-pointers, to account for all but three of his 11 points on the night.

With his team suddenly down by three, John used a time out to settle his players down, and they responded.

Laurel Highlands scored the final eight points of the half on a bucket and two free throws by Nesser, and baskets by Stefanik and Chris Sampson to take a 20-15 lead into the break.

The Mustangs extended the margin to 10 midway through the third period as Riddell hit a lay-up and a 3-pointer, and Hirsch scored after a Nesser steal and dish.

The Hillers kept the pace deliberate, though, and got treys from Drakeley, Alex Jutca and Testa late in the frame to pull within 32-28.

Tom Phillips opened fourth-period scoring with a basket inside to pull Trinity within two, but a short jumper by Riddell and consecutive hoops by Stefanik on assists from Ramsey and Nesser made it 38-30.

The Hillers kept battling and whittled the gap to 40-37 on a trey by Jutca with 1:19 remaining.

After an LH timeout, Riddell came up with the biggest play of the game when he scored and was fouled with one minute remaining. He made the free throw to widen the gap to six, and Laurel Highlands’ defense, which was tough all game, did the rest.

Dunn commended Riddell, and his teammates for the game-clinching play.

“That was a clutch point of the game there,” Dunn said. “It was just every kid on that floor for them, though. Laurel Highlands is just a solid team, and they’re well coached.”

Several Mustangs turned in fine overall performances.

Ramsey totaled five points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals. Nesser had five assists, three steals and two boards, Riddell contributed seven rebounds, two assists and two steals, and Hirsch chipped in with four points, four boards and two assists.

Everyone on the Mustang roster contributed to the victory, according to John.

“The 16 or 17 kids that dress and come every night and give us 110 percent in practice are part of this, too,” John said. “They’re all unselfish and they all make us a better team.”

Dunn just shook his head when asked about the section race.

“We play in one brutal section,” Dunn said.

“This is the best Quad-A section in the WPIAL, from top to bottom. Every night is a challenge.”