BOURBON – The Triton boys basketball team saved its best for last Wednesday night.

That best was just good enough in the end to net the Trojans a comeback win over Oregon-Davis in the season opener for both teams.

The hosts used a big fourth quarter performance to turn back the Bobcats 43-38 in a rematch of last year’s Class 1-A sectional title game.

This time, it was Triton’s turn to celebrate at game’s end.

The Trojans, who lost 38-34 to OD in the sectional finale, feasted on the Bobcats in the final frame with a strong defensive effort and clutch shooting from senior guard Jordan Anderson. Anderson, the top returning scorer back from last year’s 17-8 squad, hit two huge 3-pointers in the final frame to spark the comeback.

Triton, ranked No. 7 in the preseason Class 1-A poll, used a 10-0 scoring run in the fourth period to earn the vctory. The hosts got the two big time treys from Anderson back-to-back to spark the surge with the second one from the top of the key giving the Trojans the lead for good at 37-35 with 4:52 to play. Junior center Grant Johnson also hit a pair of buckets in the pivotal run on a layup and a jumper.

The Trojans held the Bobcats without a point for 4:15 in the decisive run. The hosts also held OD without a field goal for 5:31 in the final frame and allowed just two Bobcat baskets in outscoring OD 12-5 in the fourth quarter. The Trojans also drew a pair of huge offensive foul calls on OD down the stretch. The Bobcats were called for traveling with 19.2 seconds to play trailing 42-38 and then senior Jarrett Kreft hit 1-2 free throws with 12.7 ticks left for the final point.

“I told our guys that they showed me a lot about themselves coming back the way they did,” said Triton coach Jason Groves. “They played well down the stretch and that’s something we can build on. It’s a good first step to beat a good Oregon-Davis team.

“I give our kids credit for executing down the stretch. We did not play very good defense until down the stretch. Jordan is our leader and tonight was what we expect out of him, to hit big shots for us. I was pleased with how he stepped up and hit those threes in the fourth quarter.”

OD, which finished 11-14 last year and lost its top four scorers, led 14-12 after the opening period and 22-20 at halftime. Junior Aaron Parker scored 12 of his game-high 18 points in the first half to lead the Bobcats. Triton also had 11 turnovers in the opening half. The Trojans only had two miscues in the final half, including none in the final stanza when OD had five turnovers.

“I expected this to be a close game,” Groves said. “Their two sophomores (Campbell and Clark) played a lot last year for them as freshmen and they have two transfers (Parker and Messer) who did not play varsity last season. We knew they had a decent core of players despite losing seven seniors. Credit them. They played well tonight.

“I mentioned our turnovers loudly at half. We were not strong with the ball and I told them that is all about effort and concentration. The second half we were much stronger with the ball.

“We lost a lot of good players from last year (six seniors total) and it’s going to take us some time.  My concern was that we are going to have to find guys to score more. That still is my concern. We  need to get some guys confidence and we need them to finish strong.”

Anderson finished with 15 points and Johnson 12 to pace the Trojans. Anderson hit a pair of treys in the opening quarter before picking up two fouls and having to sit for the first three minutes of the second quarter.

Senior Masen Yeo scored six points, while senior Dalton Bailey had five, senior Jarrett Kreft three and junior Zach Pitney two for Triton.

In addition to Anderson, Yeo and Johnson return as the most experienced players for the Trojans. Triton graduated two of its top three scorers from last season’s team.

Parker, a 6-4 forward, muscled his way to 18 points to pace OD, which has had eight straight losing seasons. Junior John Messer added 12 points, 10 of those coming in the second half, for the Bobcats.

Triton raced to a 31-0 lead en route to winning the junior varsity contest 63-15. Dylan Hensley led the way with 12 points for the Trojans. Ethan Berry and Nathan Flenar each scored 11 points for Triton. George Turner led OD with seven points.

Triton (1-0)  hosts Washington Township Friday night. The Trojans will play six of their first seven games at home, including the next three against Washington Township, Plymouth and NorthWood.

Oregon-Davis (0-1) hosts South Central Dec. 4.