Coatesville beats back stiff challenge from Bishop Shanahan

CALN >> To be considered among the elite of Chester County basketball, you have to go to Ross Kershey Gymnasium and defeat the Coatesville boys basketball team. Many squads have tried over the years only to be knocked back into the reality that the Red Raiders are still the cream of the crop in the Ches-Mont League.

Tuesday night, Bishop Shanahan was the latest to visit the house of horrors, and although the Eagles hung tough after falling behind early, the Red Raiders prevailed, 56-50, in a key Ches-Mont League National Division matchup.

Coatesville (2-0 Ches-Mont, 3-2 overall) jumped out to a 9-1 lead and. They shot a torrid 9-for-13 to take a 20-11 advantage over Shanahan (1-1, 3-2) after one period.

The Coatesville guards were penetrating the gaps in the Eagles defense, and were dishing off to big men Tyrel Bladen and Johnny Clifford. Bladen had eight points in the first half when Coatesville forged its lead and Clifford finished the night with eight points also.

“Coatesville is known for real good guard play and we have that,” Bladen said. “But we also want teams to know we have a big-man presence. And tonight, the guards did a great job of getting me the ball down low where I can do some damage. Shanahan got close to us, but we kept things going. We are a relentless team and we like to keep our foot on teams’ necks.”

Coatesville outscored Shanahan, 12-8, in the third to lead 42-32 going into the fourth. Kamau and Jhamir Brickus continued their stellar play. Kamau finished with 11 points, while freshman sensation Jhamir led all scorers with 19 points, to go along with five assists. Kevin Dodds led Shanahan with 17 points and played a tough game under the boards for the Eagles.

So, after three periods it looked like another easy win for the Red Raiders.

Not so fast.

Shanahan came roaring back as the Eagles shot four-for-nine in the final period. 

The Eagles drained seven three-pointers with David Angelo leading the way with four treys.

When Dodds scored in traffic to make it a 45-36 game, it still looked like Coatesville was safe, but Jhmair Brickus scored on a fast-break to make it 50-38. Again, it looked like Coatesville would waltz to the finish line, but here came the Eagles again.

“We have a young team and at times we take our foot off the gas,” Coatesville coach Chuck Moore said. “Our freshmen are growing up fast and Shanahan has a good team, so we are happy with the win.”

Dan Browne drained a 3-pointer from the corner to make it 50-41 with 3:19 to play. Coatesville turned the ball over, and Dodds scored in the lane, and suddenly it was a 50-43 game with 1:42 left.

Daniel Browne made it 50-45 after making both free throws when the Coatesville bench was called for a technical foul after arguing a call.

Dodds drained another three, and it was 52-48 with 48 seconds to play. But, Coatesville spread the floor and Jhmair Brickus went strong to the hole to keep the lead safe. Coatesville preserved its victory despite being outscored 18-14 in the final stanza.

“We like to get out fast on teams, and we felt we were in control of this game tonight,” Clifford said. “We had a couple of lapses, but we came through. We always talk about finishing, and we did that tonight.”

Bishop Shanahan coach Ken Doyle was happy with his team’s effort, but not its execution. The Eagles turned the ball over 14 times.

“We did not play well tonight,” Doyle said. “We turned the ball over too much, but Coatesville will do that to you. They have numbers and they beat us tonight.”

Coatesville 56, Bishop Shanahan 50

BISHOP SHANAHAN: Dodds 8 0-5 17, Angelo 5 0-0 14, Browne 2 2-2 8, Kozinski 3 0-0 6, O’Malley 3 0-0 5, Dearing 0 0-0 0. Totals 20 2-7 50.

COATESVILLE: J. Brickus 7 3-4 17, K. Brickus 4 2-2 11, Bladen 4 0-0 8, A. Young 1 0-2 2, H. Young 2 0-1 5, Clifford 4 0-0 8, Bryant 1 1-2 3, Scott 0 0-0 0. Totals 23 6-8 56.

Bishop Shanahan 11 13 8 18 -50

Coatesville            20 10 12 14-56

3-point goals: Angelo 4, Browne 2, O’Malley, K.Brickus, J.Brickus 2.