Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Senior Zach Rotert and the Potter-Dix Coyotes should have no problem cruising through the Subdistrict Tournament and getting a District Finals match up next week.
Potter-Dix's Coyote boys basketball team, with a solid 17 wins on the season, moved up in class and faced the C1 Chadron Cardinals on the road Friday, February 17, and fell victim to a bad third quarter The Coyotes knew they had a big challenge going up against the C1 Cardinals with a 10-12 record, and they started the game with a good plan. The Coyotes were able to handle the Cardinals' defense with their sharp passing and athleticism, while Potter-Dix's defense did a great job limiting Chadron's scoring opportunities.
Potter-Dix was within two points at 16-14 at the end of the first period, then ramped up the defensive pressure and outscored the Cardinals in the second period to take a 26-22 lead at the halftime break. But it would be the third period that would be their undoing, as the Cardinals' defense shut down the Coyote's scoring attack while Chadron scored well in the period.
The 17-6 advantage the Cardinals generated in the third period turned the contest for the home team, and although the Coyotes made a valiant effort to come back in the fourth quarter, they were again outscored in the period and fell by a final score of 56-44.
The Cardinal defense proved too much against the high-scoring D2 powerhouse, and the Coyotes had to make the long trip home thinking about the wasted opportunity while trying to focus on the upcoming Subdistrict Tournament.
It was erroneously reported in last week's edition that Potter-Dix would most likely face Leyton in the Subdistrict finals if they were able to get that far, but Leyton's boys team is in D1-12 rather than D2-11 like the girls' team. So, the Coyotes won't have to face the Warriors for a third time this season, but after they most likely get past the winner of the Creek Valley/Minatare matchup on Tuesday, they will face either Banner County or Garden County, two teams the Coyotes beat handily twice in the regular season. Look for the Coyotes to easily cruise to a Subdistrict Title, then wait to travel east for a District Final opponent.