Fastbreak, defense, post play allow Coatesville to pull away in second half
By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times
John Lott puts in a layup. Though Coatesville is inexperienced in the backcourt, the guards were key in fastbreak points.
CALN – Coatesville fans got a preview of the boys basketball team’s uptempo offense on Friday night in a 72-40 victory over Bartram on Friday night — winning the debut of new head coach Chuck Moore.
Returning just two starters from last year, senior forwards Jaquan Hollingshed and Tyler Burke Coatesville relied on the fast break and post play for their points.
“They were great,” Moore said of his co-captains. “For the most part, they’re going to provide leadership. And they’re a big presence. They’re inside forwards, and they work well together.”
Though the team may be young, Coatesville started strongly, leading 5-1 to begin the game.
However, Bartram utilized clever cuts and kickout threes to even up the game, making it 21-21 near the beginning of the second quarter.
But the home team persevered in the paint. Combining that with a defense that held Bartram to four points in the final six minutes of the half, Coatesville pulled back in front, taking a 34-25 lead into the half.
Throughout the game, Hollingshed and Burke grabbed boards at both ends and looked for each other low, combining for 11 of Coatesville’s 15 second quarter points.
“They’re our backbone. In order for us to be successful, they have to play well,” said Moore.
This success allowed Coatesville to pull away after halftime, outscoring Bartram 22-13 in the third quarter. Junior guard John Lott’s four point play near the end of the quarter helped put the team up 52-38 going into the fourth.
Though the occasional errant pass gave away the home team’s inexperience at guard, the backcourt’s defense created fast-break points. At the beginning of the fourth quarter, senior guard Darren Rubincam grabbed a steal and took the ball coast to coast for two.
“We’re a young team,” said Moore. “These guys have been good, as far as their approach to practice, and I know they’ll grow.”
Rubincam’s play also helped Hollingshed cap off his efforts with a dunk. After a Bartram missed shot, Rubincam grabbed the rebound and showed great vision to find Hollingshed streaking into the opponents’ half. Hollingshed caught the pass with space in front of him and had a clear path for the dunk, allowing him to finish the game with a team-high 18 points.
After the game Moore said the night looked very much like what he expects from the team the rest of the year. He wants to see solid defense that will set up fastbreak points, and he expects Burke and Hollingshed to provide points as well as leadership.
