Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Leyton senior Drew Haley defends shooting Potter-Dix junior Brandon Mendoza during the Coyotes' 61-51 loss to the Warriors.
On Tuesday Dec. 17, the Potter-Dix Coyote basketball teams traveled to Dalton to take on the Leyton Warriors.
The girls started the action with the Warriors holding a 3-and-2 record, while the Lady Coyotes were still searching for their first win at 0-and-4. Leyton had dominated the rivalry between the two teams for the last few years, and first year Potter-Dix head coach Garret Stricklin's young squad quickly fell behind as Leyton standout Madelyn Watchorn scored from inside, outside, and at the line.
The Lady Warriors pressured the Lady Coyotes so effectively that Potter-Dix struggled to get the ball past half court. Leyton ended the first quarter up 24-to-0, and the rout was on. The Lady Warriors passed the ball effectively and fed Watchorn all game long, ending the game with a 51-to-6 victory with Watchorn piling up 29 points and nine rebounds in the win.
The defense harassed the Lady Coyotes at every turn, recording 27 steals with junior Sage Rummell recording 10 thefts on the night.
The boys contest proved to be a much more competitive and exciting game, with Potter-Dix's young players starting to get comfortable playing together and matching up well against a more experienced Leyton squad.
Potter-Dix broke out to an early lead bolstered by speedy play and passing of Coyote freshman Luke Kasten setting the tone. The Coyotes held a lead at the end of the first quarter, but Leyton battled back to take the lead mid-way through the second quarter. The teams traded scores until the end of the half, and Potter-Dix led 28-to-27 going into the intermission.
The second half had Potter-Dix start to commit turnovers like those Leyton struggled with in the first half, and the Warriors were able to make adjustments and pull out a 42-to-38 lead at the end of the third quarter. The teams again traded scores throughout a fast-paced fourth quarter, but the Coyotes were only able to get within two at the three minute mark when senior Terell Gray muscled his way inside and put up two to narrow the score to 52-to-50. Potter-Dix was only able to score one more point in the last three minutes, and the Warriors ended the game on a 9-to-1 run and a 61-to-51 final score.
Leyton sophomore KJ Bush led the Leyton scoring with 16 points and freshman Justin Ernest came off the bench to score 10 points in the win. Leyton's bench contributed an outstanding 29 points in the victory.
Potter-Dix senior Terell Gray led the Coyote scoring with 16 points while freshman Luke Kasten had a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds in the loss.
Leyton continues to look solid and has great depth, while the Potter-Dix squad seems to have turned the corner with athletic standout Luke Kasten and sophomore Antony Tovar playing well, while big man Terell Gray puts up points on the inside.
