LAKEVILLE - Two teams arrive at tonight's Bi-County Tournament semifinal via dramatically different paths. The undefeated Bremen Lions survived a heart-stopping 52-49 victory over New Prairie on Tuesday, rallying from a late deficit on Riley Tener's three-pointer with one second remaining. Meanwhile, the Triton Trojans dominated LaVille 66-45 in a statement performance Tuesday night. Now Bremen (11-0, 3-0 INSC) and Triton (10-2, 4-0 HNAC) meet at Dale E. Cox Gym with both teams riding winning streaks but showing contrasting forms. Tonight marks the 78th meeting between these northern Indiana rivals, with Bremen holding a slim 40-37 advantage in the all-time series. Bremen: Surviving and Advancing Despite Struggles The Lions extended their perfect record to 11-0 with Tuesday’s tournament opener, but the victory came with a warning. Bremen struggled to find rhythm against New Prairie’s physical play, squandering a 10-point fourth-quarter lead and trailing late before Tener’s heroics saved their season. The performance marked a stark contrast to Bremen’s earlier dominance, particularly their 76-44 demolition of Knox on January 16. Junior forward Bryce Miller led Bremen with 15 points in the New Prairie game, showing the Lions’ ability to get contributions beyond their usual stars. Junior guard Chase Devine added 14 points, while senior guard Hartley Mitole contributed 11. Junior forward Riley Tener’s clutch three-pointer capped his eight-point night and demonstrated Bremen’s resilience. Senior guard Jack Wildauer provided crucial toughness off the bench with two points. The inconsistency in Tuesday’s performance raises questions heading into tonight’s game. Bremen averaged 58.5 points per game entering the tournament but managed just 52 against New Prairie. Their defensive identity—allowing just 37.3 points per contest—was tested as New Prairie scored 49. The Lions found themselves “out of synch” on both ends, according to their game report, struggling against New Prairie’s physicality. However, Bremen’s ability to survive an off night speaks to championship character. Under sixth-year head coach Matt Miller (57-70 career), the Lions have shown both dominance and grit during their 11-game winning streak. Their season-long statistics remain impressive: 58.5 PPG, 37.3 PA, 41.5% FG, 39.1% 3PT. Miller will draw confidence from his recent success against Groves and Triton, having won the last two meetings. The question is which Bremen team shows up tonight—the one that demolished Knox or the one that struggled with New Prairie. Triton: Peaking at the Perfect Moment While Bremen survived, Triton thrived. The Trojans’ 66-45 dismantling of LaVille on Tuesday represented perhaps their most complete performance of the season. Head coach Jason Groves’ squad shot 54% from the field, dished out 19 assists on 28 baskets, and dominated from the opening tip. The 36-17 halftime lead showcased Triton’s ability to impose their will against quality opposition. “I thought our kids were really prepared, really dialed in to play,” Groves said after Tuesday's victory. “Offensively we took care of the ball, did what we needed to do defensively.” The performance marked the culmination of a three-game winning streak that has pushed Triton to 10-2 overall and a perfect 4-0 in Hoosier North Athletic Conference play. For Groves, tonight offers an opportunity to reverse Bremen’s recent dominance in the rivalry and improve his 5-2 record against Miller to 6-2. Sophomore guard Brady Wood (“Brady Buckets”) exploded for 18 points Tuesday, showcasing why he leads the team at 11.8 points per game. His ability to score from multiple levels makes him Triton’s most dangerous offensive weapon. Junior guard Julian Swanson (“Magic Swanson”) added 14 points with three made three-pointers, demonstrating his ability to stretch defenses and create magic from beyond the arc. Senior forward Jayden Overmyer (“The Jet”) dominated the interior with 14 points while shooting an efficient 57.3% from the field for the season. But the star of Tuesday's performance was senior guard Landon Patrick (“Master of Chaos”), who orchestrated the offense with 10 assists while adding four points and multiple steals. “Landon had 10 assists,” Groves noted. “We have three point guards at times on the court with Jameson, Julian, Landon. So we got a lot of guys who can distribute the ball.” Patrick’s season averages of 5.1 assists and 4.1 steals per game make him one of northern Indiana’s premier two-way guards. His ability to create chaos on both ends—offensive brilliance and defensive havoc—epitomizes Triton’s identity. Senior guard Gage Riffle (“The Mailman”) adds 8.5 points per game with reliable three-point shooting, delivering when Triton needs him most. The bench contributions from sophomore Jamison Swanson (“Showtime,” 4.8 PPG) and sophomore Isaac Quintana (“Iceman,” 2.1 PPG) provide crucial depth. “After the Culver game, we had to talk about sharing the ball and playing together as a team,” Groves said. “I thought they really did that tonight. Just finding the open man and complimenting each other.” Tale of Two Openers Bremen survived their toughest test of the season, relying on clutch shot-making and resilience rather than dominance. New Prairie’s physicality disrupted Bremen’s rhythm, forcing them out of their comfort zone. The Lions’ 52 points marked their third-lowest output of the season, while allowing 49 points nearly matched their season average of 37.3 points allowed. Triton, meanwhile, played what may have been their best basketball of the season. The Trojans’ 66 points represented their highest output since December, while holding LaVille to 45 marked another strong defensive performance. The team chemistry evident in their 19 assists and efficient shooting (54% FG) showed a team hitting its stride at the perfect time. “When we hit shots and we play well, we’re going to be hard to beat,” Groves said. “We’re hard to guard. We spread you out and our kids really executed.” The question tonight: can Bremen shake off their struggles and return to the form that saw them demolish Knox 76-44? Or will Triton’s momentum and confidence carry them past an undefeated opponent playing below their standards? Statistical Breakdown and Matchups Triton enters averaging 54.4 PPG while allowing just 39.2 PA, with defensive efficiency that limits opponents to 38.5% shooting. The Trojans’ 12.1 steals per game—led by Patrick’s 4.1—create transition opportunities. Tuesday's performance showed their offensive ceiling, with balanced scoring from five players reaching double figures this season and six different scorers in the LaVille game. Bremen’s season numbers (58.5 PPG, 37.3 PA, 41.5% FG, 39.1% 3PT) suggest offensive superiority, but Tuesday’s performance exposed potential vulnerabilities against physical, aggressive teams. Miller’s 15-point performance showed Bremen can get scoring from different sources, though the absence of consistent production from their usual stars like Devine (who averaged 22.4 PPG before Tuesday’s 14-point outing) could be concerning. The venue could favor Triton, who just dominated at Dale E. Cox Gymnasium three days ago. The Trojans’ familiarity with the surroundings, combined with Bremen’s struggles in their last outing, creates an intriguing dynamic. Triton’s defensive identity—holding opponents to 39.2 points per game—will test a Bremen offense that managed just 52 in their most recent game. Keys to the Game For Bremen, finding offensive rhythm will be paramount. The Lions must avoid the stagnation that plagued them against New Prairie. Miller’s 15-point performance showed he can carry the scoring load, but Bremen needs Devine to return to his 22.4 PPG form and for Mitole to provide consistent perimeter presence. The Lions’ three-point shooting (39.1% season average) can open up their offense if they’re hitting from distance. Miller will look to extend his recent success against Triton, having won the last two meetings in this storied rivalry. Bremen must also defend without fouling against Triton’s balanced attack. The Trojans’ ability to spread the floor with three capable ball-handlers creates problems for traditional defensive schemes. Limiting the Master of Chaos’ playmaking—he had 10 assists Tuesday—and containing Brady Buckets’ scoring (18 points Tuesday) while managing The Jet’s interior presence will require focused defensive execution. For Triton, maintaining their defensive intensity and ball movement will be crucial. “The kids know that defense is the buying,” Groves emphasized. “You got to play defense each and every day.” Patrick’s ability to create chaos defensively—he’s averaging 4.1 steals and recorded nine in the December victory over Winamac—could disrupt Bremen’s offensive rhythm, especially if the Lions are already struggling to find flow. Groves knows his team needs to break the recent two-game losing streak against Bremen to reclaim superiority in this rivalry. Triton’s balanced scoring gives them multiple options if Bremen focuses on stopping one player. With Brady Buckets (11.8 PPG), Magic Swanson (10.5), The Jet (9.6), The Mailman (8.5), and Master of Chaos (5.7) all capable of significant contributions, the Trojans can exploit any defensive lapse. Their 19 assists on 28 baskets Tuesday exemplified the unselfish play that makes them difficult to defend. When Showtime and Iceman contribute off the bench, Triton becomes nearly impossible to match up with. Game Information Game: Bi-County Tournament Semifinal Tipoff: 8:00 PM Location: Dale E. Cox Gymnasium, LaVille High School Records: Bremen 11-0, Triton 10-2 (4-0 HNAC) Series: 78th meeting, Bremen leads 40-37 Coaches: Matt Miller (Bremen, 6th season, 57-70 career) vs Jason Groves (Triton, 21st season, 355 career wins). Groves leads head-to-head 5-2, but Miller has won last two meetings. Tournament Openers: Bremen 52-49 vs New Prairie (Tuesday), Triton 66-45 vs LaVille (Monday) Season Averages: Bremen 58.5 PPG, 37.3 PA | Triton 54.4 PPG, 39.2 PA Streaks: Bremen 11-game win streak, Triton 3-game win streak Last Meeting: Bremen 49-43 (February 25, 2025) Next Meeting: February 24, 2026 at Bremen Scoreboard: Triton (Home Team)