HIGH SCHOOL

Trey Lyles finishes final home game with 20 points, win

By Tom Moor
Star correspondent

Tech coach Jason Delaney is still trying to get his team to do a better job of closing out games.

But for three quarters Friday night, he had to have liked what he saw from his Titans, who were coming off a 13-day layoff.

Host Tech jumped out to a 16-0 lead and led by as many as 28 points in the third quarter en route to a 63-47 win over Zionsville.

Arsenal Tech High School senior Trey Lyles (41) walks off the court for the last time in the regular season at Arsenal Tech during after boys varsity basketball action, Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, at Arsenal Technical High School. Tech defeated Zionsville 63-47 in their last home game of the season.

The Eagles (12-5), who were held to 17 points through three quarters, scored 30 in the fourth to cut down on the final margin.

"We let up," Delaney said. "We had a big lead, and I think physically we quit playing. During those first three quarters, it was all stuff we had been working on for the past 13 days."

Defensively, the Class 4A No. 2 Titans (19-2) stepped on the gas from the opening tip. They forced nine Zionsville turnovers in less than 5 minutes with traps and swarming double and triple teams. Many of the turnovers led to easy baskets.

The Eagles, who were held scoreless in the second quarter, finished with 23 turnovers.

"We haven't spent any time on offense during the past 13 days," Delaney said. "All of it was on the defensive end. That's going to get us to where we want to go — a state championship. If we focus and pressure on the defensive end, the offense will take care of itself."

Through three quarters, the Titans held the Eagles to 5-for-28 shooting. Zionsville scored only four baskets in the first half —— all 3-pointers in the final 2:40 of the first quarter. The Titans led 30-12 at halftime.

With Tech leading 45-17 early in the fourth quarter, the Eagles caught fire. They hit five 3s in the quarter on 9-for-19 shooting and closed to within 50-42 with 2:08 to play. But Tech IndyStar Mr. Basketball candidate Trey Lyles, a 6-10 senior forward, scored eight straight points to put the game away.

Lyles, playing in his final home game, scored 20 points on 5-for-15 shooting and added nine rebounds and six assists.

"I think we let go a little late in the game. We didn't feel as well," said Tech senior guard Josh Whitfield, who scored seven points. "But we're feeling great heading into sectionals."

Zionsville coach Shaun Busick said his team was more aggressive in the fourth quarter but didn't open the game with confidence.

"I felt like we were scared," he said. "That's to (Tech's) credit. They came out in control and took care of their home court. I was upset. I felt like we were playing soft and scared.

"We can't simulate them in practice in regards to what they throw at you," he added. "They're so athletic."

Tech senior guard Jeremie Tyler added 15 points and senior forward Michael Jones had seven.

Junior guard Jake Mann paced Zionsville with 15 points, all 3-pointers.

The Titans wrap up their regular season Friday at Ben Davis.