The crowd roars as Coppell sophomore James Faison drives inside the paint and gets fouled. After Faison makes a free throw to complete a three-point play in the fourth quarter, the  Cowboys are finally even with Richardson to complete a 20-point comeback

With a rocky first quarter, an energetic second quarter, a dogfight in the third quarter, and a race to keep scoring in the fourth, last Tuesday’s basketball game was one filled with highs and lows for the Cowboys. 

The Cowboys rallied to defeat Richardson, 68-64, on Tuesday at CHS Arena. Coppell improves to 7-3.

The Eagles dominated the first quarter with a fast–paced, high–intensity offense. Richardson senior power forward Tim Jordan and junior point guard Trenton Patterson scored a quick six and five points respectively. In an attempt to come back, freshman Sibu Socks came up with a steal. It did not pan out with Richardson gaining possession shortly after. 

Richardson entered ranked No. 4 in the TABC Class 6A state poll. 

“Dealing with the physicality of Richardson was definitely a challenge.” Socks said. “They’re big and we really had to think about all the plays we were making.” A dunk by Jordan ended the first quarter on a low note for the Cowboys.

Coppell coach Clint Schnell adjusted his lineup in the second quarter.

“When the other team goes on a run, you’ve got to change the lineup and see who can bring some energy or defense off the bench,” Schnell said. “We wanted to shake it up and that’s exactly what sophomore Jeremiah Brown and junior Graham Finklea did.”

Coppell junior Alex Tung raced forward after a steal in the second quarter, passing the ball to junior Graham Finklea. Silence, and then the crowd erupts, reacting to Finklea’s quick basket. That play signaled a turning point in momentum for the Cowboys. 

Finklea scored seven points in the second quarter, bringing some much–needed energy. Numerous substitutions, two layups by Socks, and a three by junior guard Alex Tung started the comeback for the Cowboys. Coppell cut the deficit to 35-26 at the half and left the court to cheers from the Cowboys faithful.

“The first half did not go my way, shots weren’t falling, but a lot of younger guys stepped up and the team held each other accountable.” junior forward Arhan Lapiswala said. “We were expecting a close game and we’ve had some experience with that this season so I think that helped me get back in later.”

Forty-two of Coppell’s points came in the second half.

“It was definitely a group effort to get back in,” Schnell said. “Instead of five separate athletes on the court we looked like a team again.”

Richardson junior guard Rustan Griffen for the Eagles scored seven points in the third quarter in response to Coppell’s Lapiswala making two three-pointers within 40 seconds, forcing Richardson to take its second timeout. Lapiswala finished the third quarter with 11 points and Coppell trailed, 51-43.

With three minutes left, Eagles junior guard Jensen Knowles hit a three-pointer to bring them up 61-58. Coppell refused to lose the lead and got more aggressive on defense. Freshman Sibu Socks had four steals in the fourth quarter.

Now holding a two-point lead and with 1:30 in regulation, Coppell’s Lapiswala was quickly fouled twice to send him to the free-throw line. Lapiswala hit three of four to lead the Cowboys into a narrow victory. He was the leading scorer of the game with 22 points.

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