There is going to be some serious talent from both teams on the floor. Between the two schools, there will be five athletes that will be playing the collegiate level, four of which will be soccer players. Troy Triad is having a Cinderella season, having won their first Regional Championship in 38 years. Meanwhile, Mattoon could make their first Sweet 16 since 2017. 

Here is the preview of tonight’s game. 

Team Records: Mattoon (28-2) vs. Troy Triad (21-9)

Where: Bethalto Civic Memorial High School

Tickets: Tickets can be purchased at BCMHS

School Size: Mattoon (929), Troy Triad (1,157)

Varsity Tip-Off: 6:00 p.m.

Opponent’s History: Josh Hunt is in his second stint coaching the girls’ basketball team. From 2013-2014 to 2015-2016, he posted a 52-30 record. After a few years off, he returned last season and coached the team to a 9-4 record in a shortened season. With this year’s record, he owns an overall record of 82-43 at the school. The regional championship was the program’s first since 1984. The school is typically known for soccer – the girls program has won three state championships since 2011, including an undefeated season last year. 

Mattoon’s Past Results:  Mattoon defeated Centralia 56-48 to win the Herrin Regional Championship. Mallory Ramage led the Green Wave with 32 points and seven rebounds while both Faith Niebrugge and Chloe Pruitt added eight rebounds each. 

Mattoon’s Team Stats: Mattoon is averaging 62.3 points per game and allowing 35.8 points per game. 

Troy Triad Season Review: Troy Triad finished 7-3 in the Mississippi Valley Conference, which was won by the host school Civic Memorial (10-0). The winner of this game will play either Civic Memorial or Mount Vernon at BCMHS at 7 p.m. on Thursday. Triad has a few similar opponents at Mattoon – a 61-47 loss to Taylorville and a 52-33 loss to Teutopolis, both opponents that Mattoon has defeated this season. 

“We won our first regional title since 1984 on Friday,” said Hunt. “Obviously, I’m thrilled and excited for the girls to be able to enjoy a moment like that.  To beat a really good Waterloo team for a third time this year was a difficult task but the girls found a way to get it done.”

Troy Triad’s Team Stats: Triad is led by three of the most decorated soccer players in school history. Twins Reagan and Kendall Chigas scored 15 and 14 points each, while Avery Bohnenstiehl added 12 points. The Chigas twins spent last season splitting goalkeeping duties for their 24-0-1 squad that won the school’s third state title in girls soccer. Reagan is heading to the University of Illinois-Springfield, Kendall is going to Illinois College, while Bohnenstiehl will continue at Truman State University. THS is scoring 45.0 points per game and allowing 38.2 points per game. 

What Troy Triad Said: “I’m sure just like many teams, we’ve had quite a unique year that was filled with a ton of adversity,” said Hunt. “We went about a month without having our full lineup due to Covid.  But we have resilient girls who are pretty tough-minded and find a way to get through it. Mattoon is legit. They’re led by a division one player who is dynamic on the offensive end and she will be tough for us to defend.  Niebrugge seems like they’re energizers.  She really does a lot of great things for them.  They’ve got a couple of shooters to go along with a strong post player as well. They are 28 and 2 for a reason. They’re really good and we have a tall task in front of us on Tuesday night.

What Mattoon Said: “Triad is a really good team,” said Aydt. “They play a 1-2-2 press back to a 1-2-2 half-court zone.  They run their offense well. I am proud of our players. I thought our 2-3 zone defense looked great last game. We are doing a good job of communicating and rebounding. Offensively we are moving the ball well and finding the open person. I like the way we are playing right now.”