Jhamir Brickus clutch in fourth quarter as Coatesville tops Methacton in District 1-6A quarters

CALN >> Coatesville punched its ticket to the District 1 6A boys’ basketball semifinals with a thrilling 76-70 win against Methacton at Ross Kershey Gymnasium Friday night.

Two late Methacton turnovers and some clutch fourth-period play from Jhamir Brickus, who led all scorers with 28 points, led to the victory.

The next stop for No. 2 seed Coatesville is Temple University’s Liacorus Center Tuesday night, against No. 3 seed Lower Merion.

Methacton turned the ball over two times in the final minute of the fourth period, and Brickus and Dapree Braynt drained four free throws to ice the win over a Warrior (21-6) squad that shot 29-for-49 from the field on the night.

“We played big defense and forced turnovers at the end,” Brickus said. “And they were the best team we played this year, and they competed, so we had to go after it and that is what we did in the fourth period.”

Coatesville (26-1) led by one point after three periods, 53-52 as the two teams battled back and forth and dove for every loose ball like tigers or lions at feeding time. Jeff Woodword, the 6-foot-7 Warrior center, had 16 points and 12 rebounds and David Duda led Methacton with 24 points, including five treys.

But, Coatesville got the usual great game from Brickus, Dapree Bryant chipped in with 19 points and Coatesville got eight big points from center Tione Holmes, who battled Woodward all night.

“I was looking to score because he was giving me the jumper,” Holmes said. “He gave me room because he was slower than me, and I would have went right by them. It was a battle because they are a very good team but those turnovers at the end with us diving for loose balls was the difference.”

With Coatesville holding a 67-61 advantage with 3:34 to play, Woodward went down the lane to make it a 67-63 game and the Warriors still had life. But, Brickus went strong to the basket on the Red Raiders’ next possession for a 69-63 lead. Duda came right back with a long three-ball from the left wing, and Methacton inched closer again at 69-68.

Coatesville spread the floor to eat some clock and Brickus drove to the hole, got fouled and hit two big free throws for a 71-68 Coatesville lead.

Woodward came right back to make it a 71-70 game and then Bryant got fouled but he missed the front end of a one and one and Woodword grabbed the rebound.

But as the Warriors rushed upcourt, Brickus tipped it away, and Holmes came up with the rock in a wild scramble. Brickus got fouled again, and he drained one of two free throws for a 72-70 lead. The Warriors again coughed the ball up, and this time Bryant knocked down a pair from the charity stripe and the Red Raiders escaped their toughest test of the season.

“They were by far the best team we have played this year,” Coatesville coach Fred Thompson said. “But, our kids made plays down the stretch and I thought Tione Holmes did a great job with their big boy. Tione was dirty the whole night. He really stepped up and Jhamir came through in crunch time and that is why he has the ball in his hands.”