With starting guard senior Alex Tung out with an injury, the Coppell boys basketball team adapted and took control to defeat Hurst L.D. Bell, 62-51, on Friday in the CHS Large Gym. 

Senior guard Gabe Pehl and senior forward Arhan Lapsiwala scored 6 and 10 points respectively, in the first two quarters. 

“We did a good job of attacking [the Raiders] defense and creating good scoring opportunities,” Coppell coach Clint Schnell said. 

Coppell went into halftime leading by 10 points. However, in the third quarter, the Raiders came within six points of Coppell, due to several fouls and defensive errors. 

“I would like to have seen us do a better job defensively against [L.D. Bell sophomore guard Keyuan Williams] who had 18 points,” Schnell said. “I feel we let him do too much offensively at times.”

In the fourth quarter, the Cowboys were able to regain momentum. Notable players from last night’s game include Pehl, Lapsiwala and junior guard Bryce Ward.

Schnell said the team will work to clean up “mental mistakes” and strengthen its defense during practice. 

“We need to communicate more and be on the same page defensively,” Schnell said. “I would like to see us putting together a string of defensive stops with a series of scoring opportunities and make a run at times during a game.”

The Cowboys host Mesquite Horn on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

Follow (@suki_muthiah) and @CHSCampusNews on X.