Coatesville rolls over Henderson to clinch National Division title

CALN >> Any team would like to be playing its best basketball heading into the league and district playoffs, just as the squad is coming together and is finely tuned.

Tuesday night, Coatesville served notice that it will be tough to stop in a quest for a second consecutive Ches-Mont League championship, as well as in the upcoming District 1 playoffs.

Coatesville clinched the regular season National Division title with a scintillating performance as the Red Raiders completely outclassed a game but overmatched West Chester Henderson squad, 62-24, Tuesday night. Coatesville put three players in double figures, shot a hot 26 for 58 from the field and forced 20 Warrior turnovers as it coasted to an easy win.

The Red Raiders (11-1 Ches-Mont National, 18-4 overall) will next play West Chester Rustin Saturday in the Ches-Mont League semifinals. The site and times have not been officially determined.

Henderson dropped to 1-10 in the National and 3-18 overall.

“This regular season title is a testament to the dedication these kids have put in and their belief in our system,” said Coatesville coach Chuck Moore. “We had a young team but they have grown up and we are playing our best basketball right now. Our defense always sets the tone for our offense and we are playing very aggressive defense right now. The kids deserve a ton of credit for all the hard work they have put into this.”

The Red Raiders were never in trouble against Henderson as Coatesville jumped out to a 17-1 lead after just six minutes of play. An alley pop from Kamau Brickus to Tyrel Bladen made it 15-1, and after an Henderson turnover, Dapree Bryant drove the lane to make it a 17-1 lead. After one quarter, Coatesville had a commanding 21-4 lead and it was very clear the Red Raiders were in no danger. Coatesvilel scored 10 points off Henderson turnovers in the first period.

“We got out early and we just executed what the coaches told us,’ Said Hasaan Young, who poured in 10 points, “It was a fun game to play in because we played together and we have been doing that lately. Now we go to the playoffs and to win back to back titles would just be an incredible feeling.”

Joe Boulware led the way with 12 points for Coatesville.

“We really wanted to play well this time of the year,” Boulware said. “And to win back to back titles would be a big thrill. We are coming together, playing tough defense and our offense is feeding off our defense. we have good senior leadership with myself, Kamau, and Tyrel. I am looking forward to playing Rustin again. They have good big men and they like to feed the post so we have to be ready.”

Archer Rymizewski led the Warriors with seven points and Henderson will end its season at Avon Grove Thursday night while the Red Raiders move onto Saturday’s semifinal against Rustin, a team Coatesville defeated 65-52 back in early December.

“The goal here is always to win the league,” Moore said. “The kids have really bought in and are doing things the right way. We had a good game with Rustin early in the year and we get them again.”

Coatesville 62, West Chester Henderson 24
W.C. HENDERSON: Blackwell 1 3-4 4, Rymizewski 3 0-0 7, Dunn 0 1-2 1, Saulino 1 0-0 3, Piel 1 1-5 3, Gray 1 0-0 3, Bash 1 0-0 3. Totals 8 5-11 24.
COATESVILLE: Bladen 3 0-0 6, Boulware 5 2-2 12, K.Brickus 4 0-0 9, J.Brickus 4 0-0 12, Bryant 2 0-0 4, Summers 0 0-2 0, Av.Young 2 0-0 5, H.Young 5 0-0 10, Holmes 1 2-7 4, Aa.Young 0 0-0 0. Totals 26 4-11 62.
W.C. Henderson    4    6    9    5 – 24
Coatesville    21    12    18    11 – 62
3-point goals: Rymizewski, Saulino, Gray, K.Brickus, J. Brickus 4, Av. Young.