The Coppell boys basketball team has faced many challenges since its season began. It has missed three games due to COVID-19 shutdowns and played games missing key players as football and basketball seasons overlap. 

The Cowboys are coming off a tough 79-73 loss on Friday night against Lake Highlands, with many key players out.

“It’s challenging [playing without our key players],” Coppell coach Clint Schnell said. “Some of those guys are big parts of what we do and who we are. But the exciting part about playing without them is watching other players have to step up and take on different roles.”

Coppell (3-1) hosts Keller (5-2) tomorrow night at the CHS Arena at 8 p.m. According to Schnell, Keller shoots and moves the ball well and has a strong defense. 

“[Keller] is a much better shooting team than [Lake Highlands],” Coppell junior point guard Devank Rane said. “We have to take away their shots and force drives. One of the best things our team does is we can transition before the other team catches up.”

With so many uncertainties going forward with COVID-19 and player absences, the Cowboys are learning to be more flexible and change how they play on the spot.

“You focus on one thing, you just let the rest of the game come to you,” Coppell junior shooting guard Ryan Agarwal said. “Each game might be different depending on what I’m doing, if I’m guarding a better player my main focus may just be to stop this guy. For this game it’s probably going to be on the defensive end, being able to close out.”

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