Coatesville falls in OT to Abington in district final

PHILADELPHIA >> “The ball would just not go in.”
These were the words of Coatesville junior Jhamir Brickus moments after the Red Raiders missed five close-in putbacks in the final seconds of overtime and Abington took the District 1 Class 6 A title with a thrilling 74-71 win.

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In a wonderfully-played game by both sides, Coatesville came out of a timeout with the ball, down 72-71 to the Ghosts (27-1). Brickus, who had 23 points despite early foul trouble, drove the lane and missed. Four more Coatesville shots did not go in, Abington finally grabbed the rebound and threw an outlet pass for a layup and the hard-fought victory.
“The foul trouble hurt because I had to sit out,” said Brickus. “And seeing that ball not go in was very frustrating, and right now it is a terrible feeling. We can regroup and make a nice run in States.”
Abington jumped out to a 25-12 lead after the first period but the Red Raiders (26-2) came right back and had a 53-52 lead after three periods. Abington big man Eric Dixon was sensational, as he scored a game-high 37 points to go along with 19 rebounds. Dapree Bryant led Coatesville with 28 points as the Ghosts could not stay in front of the Red Raider star.
Every time the Ghosts were in trouble, Dixon bailed them out by taking a pass to relieve pressure or scoring inside or making a big block. Coatesville center Tione Holmes, who scored nine points and grabbed eight boards, talked about the wild ending and battling Dixon.
“He [Dixon] is going to have a great career,” Holmes said. “And he is very physical. It was tough in there tonight. And those last shots, I thought one of them was going to go in.”
Abington grabbed a 68-63 lead in overtime on baskets by Lucas Monroe and Darious Brown. But Brickus drained a three-ball to bring Coatesville within two. The Ghosts then grabbed a 72-68 lead until Brickus knocked down another three before the wild scramble at the end and Abington grabbed its third consecutive District 1 title.
“We thought we were the better team coming in, “ Coatesville head coach Fred Thompson said. “ And we finally got some offensive rebounds and the ball would not go in. But we will take a little time off and regroup and hopefully make a run in States.”
Coatesville will open state play next Saturday against District 11 Emmaus at a time and place to be determined.

Abington 74, Coatesville 71
Coatesville 12 21 20 10 8 – 71
Abington 25 11 16 11 11 – 74
COATESVILLE (71) Bryant 10 7-10 28, J. Brickus 10 1-2 23: Young 2 0-0 4, Miller 2 0-0 4, Proctor 1 0-0 3, Holmes 4 1-1 9, Santiago 0 0-0 0. Totals 29 9-13 71.
ABINGTON (74) Dixon 13 10-13 37, Monroe 7 4-4 18, Waller 4 0-0 8, Henry 2 0-0 6, Brown 2 0-0 5, Sussman 0 0-0 0.Totals 26 14-17 74.
3-point goals: J. Brickus 2, Bryant, Proctor, Henry, Brown.