Let's play two.

It's a common sentiment in baseball. But in basketball?

Yes indeed — if you are a member of the Butler County Community College men's basketball team it is.

The Pioneers embarked on a four-game, 48-hour odyssey — including a doubleheader in two different states on Saturday.

The method to the madness was quite clear for BCCC coach Tony Grenek.

He wanted his team to be sharp for the Region XX tournament, which begins Thursday in Frederick, Md.

"Last year we were the No. 1 seed and we went in flat," Grenek said. "Every year, we are done around Feb. 10 and don't play again until the regional the first week of March. Practice gets old after awhile."

Playing four games in three days doesn't, however.

The players were pumped up for the unusual basketball marathon and their play on the court showed it.

The Pioneers (17-12) won all four games.

"It was like the perfect weekend," said BCCC sophomore guard and Butler High School graduate Joel Rehm. "It's something I will never forget."

The odyssey began on Friday night with a trip to Kent State-Tuscarawas in Ohio. The Pioneers left Butler at 2:30 p.m., arrived at New Philadelphia in time to play the 6 p.m. game and won in convincing fashion, 98-81.

They arrived back in Butler at 11 p.m.

The next morning, the team left Butler at 10:45 a.m. for a date with Franciscan University of Steubenville (Ohio) for a 1 p.m. game.

Led by 22 points from Matt Lobaugh, BCCC won 83-63. Their next stop after leaving Steubenville was Wheeling, W.Va. to play host West Virginia Northern in the first round of their four-team tournament.

When they left Steubenville at 3 p.m., they had time to grab a bite to eat before the 30 minute trek to Wheeling.

"We went to Ponderosa and pigged out," Grenek said.

They arrived at 6:15 p.m., played West Viginia Northern at 7:30 p.m. and won a thrilling game, 114-107. Six played scored in double digits for the Pioneers, led by 31 points from Lobaugh and 21 points and 13 assists from Rehm.

The Pioneers left Wheeling at 9:15 p.m. and arrived back in Butler at 11 p.m. to end a crazy day that saw them score 197 points.

"I told a guy at Franciscan what we were doing and asked him for directions to West Virginia Northern," Grenek said. "I think he thought I was nuts."

It wasn't over yet.

Sunday afternoon, the Pioneers boarded their van at 11:45 a.m. and drove back to Wheeling to face Kent State-Trumbull in the championship game at 3 p.m.

BCCC won 76-73 behind 19 points and 11 assists from Rehm and 19 more points from Lobaugh.

Rehm was named the tournament MVP. Lobaugh and Jeremy Peterson made the all-tournament team.

By the time it was all over, the Pioneers felt like they could have played more.

"The best part of the season is playing the games," Rehm said. "I thought (Sunday) we were pretty well rested. All the guys went home and got a good night's sleep."

Grenek said he kept asking his players if they were tired throughout the weekend and not one said he was.

"I think they could have played another game if they had to," Grenek said. "I kept asking them, 'Are you dead? Are you dead?' We played man defense most of the time. I only played six guys. My biggest fear was getting someone hurt.

"After what they did this weekend, they should be able to maintain their conditioning for the regional tournament."

The grand total for the four games in 48 hours: 160 minutes, 371 points, 691 miles traveled and one unforgettable experience.

"It was like a vacation," Rehm said. "Eating on the road, goofing around in the van with the guys."

Rehm said he would remember this weekend for more than just going 4-0 and more than winning a tournament MVP.

He said he would remember it as a bonding experience with an already close-knit team.

"I've played with talented teams, on good teams and on bad teams," Rehm said. "But I've never played on a team as close as this one. I can honestly say there is no one selfish on this team. We always find the open man."