Cole, Trice Rep Dayton With Pride as They Battle For Puerto Rico Championship

 Cole, Trice Rep Dayton With Pride as They Battle For Puerto Rican Championship  

By Deon Cash

Two of the greatest players to ever lace em up in the Miami Valley are continuing to do great things in their pro basketball careers. 

Norris Cole and Travis Trice II have led their respective teams to the Puerto Rican Championship series - and it has been nothing short of spectacular.

Cole, a NBA Champion with the Miami Heat, was a baller for Dunbar before becoming a star for the Cleveland State Vikings. His 40 point, 20 rebound, 9 assist game still goes down as one of the most dominant performances in Viking history.

He would be drafted by the Heat, where he would play with LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh during the "Big 3 Era" in Miami.

After playing in the NBA, Cole has taken his talents all over the globe to play internationally. 

Trice was a star at Wayne HS, playing under his dad, who is a Hall of Famer in Indiana basketball history and was recently inducted.

He would sign to play at Michigan State, alongside the likes of another Dayton native in Adreain Payne, who went to Jefferson HS before playing with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Payne died tragically a few years ago.

They would lead the Spartans to a Final Four berth before leaving college. Trice would bounce around with the G-League before deciding to go across the waters and continue his career.

Trice has been ultra successful wherever he has played, culminating in a incredible year where he won a championship last season (with his younger brother) and was the MVP of the Puerto Rican League this season.

It's baffling that he didn't latch on with the NBA, but he did get some USA Olympic experience, playing for that team a few years ago. 

Fast forward to now, where Cole and Trice have lead their teams to the championship round.

Trice has hit all types of amazing shots and is top 5 in points and assists, which is why he garnered the MVP award. But it's his hard work, great personality, and "calm but silent killer" type demeanor which has rubbed off on his team.

Cole is the consumate professional, in which he always does his job, is a great leader, can & will hit clutch shots & will direct the offense, defense or whatever is needed at the time. 

While they will play against each other for the title, there is a great feeling of pride watching two of the greatest guards in Dayton history battle it out for P.R. supremacy.

And it has been nothing but respect and love from each in talking about their counterpart during the series. 

Dayton can definitely be proud of two of the classiest but successful professional hoopers that has ever come out of the city. 

No matter who wins, they have both won in their careers and both understand this will go down as one of the greatest series in P.R. basketball history. 

Salute to two of the greats and their families on such a great ride. 

Follow Trice, Cole, and S.E.Live365 on their journey 

Norris Cole

Travis Trice II 

S.E.Live365