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Story and photos by Mike Monahan
Coyle High’s basketball teams swept district championships, but not before a slew of technical fouls and personal fouls were whistled in the two finals last weekend.
In the boys final, the Bluejackets stormed back from a 21-11 halftime deficit, taking advantage of five pivotal technical fouls in the final 11 minutes to produce a 52-36 win against the Wellston Tigers.
Coyle had gone on a 10-1 run in the first five minutes of the third quarter to pull within a point. That was the start of the mayhem that followed.
A foul on Wellston led to the first technical of the game. Jace Lemons made three of the four free throws and the basket on the out-of- bounds play and, suddenly, it was 27-22 in favor of the Bluejackets, who led 29-26 heading to the fourth quarter.
Four more technical fouls on the visitors helped Coyle score 23 points in the final eight minutes that included a 13-for-17 effort at the free throw line. Coyle also had a technical called on one of its players for taunting.
The Tigers finished with 21 personal fouls and five technicals; Coyle was whistled for seven fouls and the one technical.
Lemons led the way with 18 points, including 10for-15 on free throws. Joaquin Amaro chipped in with 14 points, netting four 3-pointers. Miguel Howell added 10 points.
The Bluejackets (185) visit No. 2 Okarche (232) at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the winner’s bracket game of the regional round.
Lady Bluejackets hold off Lady Tigers In the girls district championship game to start the night, the Lady Bluejackets jumped out to an early lead, forcing Wellston’s coach to take three timeouts in the first quarter, and posted a 44-36 victory against the Lady Tigers.
Coyle led 11-6 after one, 18-14 at the half and 29-27 through three quarters.
Ten missed free throws by Wellston (11-for-21) and the final seven points of the game by Coyle finally decided it.
Seniors Naliyah McLaurin and Sierra Young led the way with 15 and 4 points, respectively. Kiana Rosas chipped in seven points with some key shots.
Coyle (12-11) visits No. 5 Okarche (20-5) at 6:30 p.m. Thursday for the winner’s bracket of the regional. The winners of Thursday’s games will play the winners of the Velma-Alma/ Arapaho-Butlergames on Saturday. The losers will have to win games Friday and Saturday to remain in contention.