Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First

Coyotes fall to cross-county rival

Zach Hellie scored 27 points as Leyton used a strong second quarter to defeat cross-county rival Potter-Dix, 54-41, on Friday night.

Hellie led the Warriors (5-5) on both sides of the floor with a double-double. Offensively, he shot 10-of-19 from the field, including 1-of-2 from behind the arc. He also hit six free throws. He also grabbed 13 rebounds on the night, added two assists and had a steal.

The game was back-and-forth throughout the first quarter. Potter-Dix (4-6) went up 6-4 on Coby Hicks' layup and held a 9-4 lead after a Noah Nelson trey. Leyton rolled with a 6-0 run to take the lead, all thanks to Hellie. He drained a trey to cut into the lead and then scored on a putback layup to knot the game at 9-all. He was fouled on the play and hit the free throw to give the Warriors a 10-9 lead with 2:29 left in the opening quarter. Leyton held a 14-11 lead going into the second quarter.

It was all Leyton early in the second quarter as they opened the frame on an 11-0 run. Kenny Ernest started the run with a layup 9 seconds into the quarter, and ended it on a jumper at the 5:31 mark. The Warriors led 29-17 at halftime.

The Coyotes rallied in the third quarter, outscoring the Warriors 17-5 to make it a 2-point game heading into the final frame. Leyton closed the game out on a strong run, outscoring Potter-Dix 18-7 in the fourth quarter for the double-digit win.

In addition to Hellie's 27 points, Skylar Schumacher added 11 points, a team-high seven assists and six rebounds and for Leyton.

Sam Bogert led the Coyotes with 12 points. Kelsey Rozelle and Nelson added six points each.

The two teams locked horns again Monday night in the first round of the Minuteman Activities Conference Tournament.

Potter-Dix 47, Hay Springs 41

A strong second quarter was the difference for Potter-Dix in a 47-41 road win at Hay Springs.

The Coyotes outscored the Hawks 15-7 en route to the win. They led 23-13 at halftime.

Edward Barnes led the Coyotes offensively with 14 points, while Noah Nelson added eight points.

Coby Hicks was the top rebounded with 10 points, while Barnes and Kelsey Rozelle grabbed seven boards each.

The Coyotes had a big night in thefts with 17 as a team. Barnes, Hicks and Cole Christensen led the way with four steals each.