Coatesville storms back from 13-point halftime hole to beat Downingtown West

CALN >> When you go to Ross Kershey Gymnasium to play Coatesville, you know one thing for sure. 

At some point, some time, probably when you’re least ready for it, the Red Raiders will make a run. And the only teams that leave town with a coveted road win are those that can withstand the inevitable surge.

Downingtown West did not go home happy.

A seemingly commanding 13-point halftime edge — behind the splendid play of Will Howard, who had 17 of his 27 points in the opening half — was not enough for the Whippets, who watched Coatesville start the second half on an 8-0 run and storm to a 79-74 triumph in a key Ches-Mont League National Division clash.

Coatesville (8-0 league, 14-1 overall) outscored Downingtown West (6-2, 8-6) 49-33 in the decisive second half behind 22 points from both Dapree Bryant and Jhamir Brickus.

“We looked like a team that had been off for four days in the first half,” said Coatesville coach Fred Thompson. “We turned up the defense in the second half and I will tell you, these kids are resilient. They turn it on when they have to and they always seem to get the job done.”

The Whippets led, 41-28, at half, behind the splendid play of Howard, who added 13 rebounds to his 27 points. But, Tione Holmes and Aaron Young put on a body on Howard and held him to 10 points in the second half. The Red Raiders’ 8-0 run featured run-outs by Bryant and Brickus off turnovers, a follow by Holmes and a jumper by Young, who came off the bench to score 11 points.

“We just started playing Coatesville defense in the second half,” Holmes said. “And they started to turn the ball over and we got baskets off them. I did not have any fouls so I just tried to put a body on Howard and try to wear him down. And we have a lot of guys who can contribute. Besides Jhamir and Dapree, John Proctor and Aaron can hit the three, and a lot of guys who rebound.”

The Whippets found their legs a little after the 8-0 run and still managed to keep a slim 59-57 lead after three periods. Coatesville shot 11 for 15 in the third quarter and three for four from three-point range, and turned the Whippets over six times in the third quarter.

But, the tide was clearly turning in the Red Raiders’ favor. Bryant put Coatesville into the lead with a long three for a 62-61 lead. After a Howard miss, Holmes hit a breaking Brickus for a layup and a 64-61 Coatesville lead. But Hunter Blair drained a three from the corner and it was tied at 64 with a little over four minutes left in the fourth quarter.

Bryant hit another three, one of eight Red Raider treys on the night, for a 67-64 lead. After another Whippet turnover, Bryant cruised down the lane for a 69-64 lead. Young then hit a jumper after a Whippet miss and it was suddenly a 71-64 Coatesville lead with 2:58 to play.

“I have been working a lot on my shot,” Young said. “And on defense I tried to front Howard and make them go over the top and put a body on him and it seemed to work out for us.”

The Whippets did not quit, but they were hampered by 4-for-16 shooting in the fourth quarter. When Cam McCole, who had a big game with 20 points for Downingtown West, scored in tight, it was a 75-70 game with 1:12 to play.

Coatesville did not turn the ball over in the fourth and had only five miscues on the night, so the Whippets’ efforts to steal the ball went for naught, and they ended up fouling. Coatesville hit six of seven free throws in the final two minutes and it was a big Red Raider comeback win.

“We did not match their intensity for a few minutes in the second half and they got back in the game,” Downingtown West coach Stu Ross said. “And their role players off the bench came and hit shots so give Coatesville credit. They played well and deserved to win.”

Coatesville 79, Downingtown West 74

DOWNINGTOWN WEST (74): Howard 12 2-2 27, Blair 3 2-2 10, Hillsinger 1 0-0 3, McCole 7 6-6 20, Roberson 4 3-4 11, Kaiser 1 0-0 3, Spann 0 0-0 0. Totals 28 13-14 74.

COATESVILLE (79): J.Brickus 7 9-11 22, Bryant 8 4-6 22, D.Brickus 1 0-0 3, Young 4 1-2 11, Holmes 5 0-0 10, Proctor 2 0-0 6, Miller 1 2-2 4. Totals 28 16-21 79.

Downingtown West 17 24 18 15 – 74

Coatesville 18 10 27 22 – 79

3-point goals: Blair 2, Howard, McCole, Hillsinger, D.Brickus, Bryant 2, Young 2, Miller, Proctor 2.