The Coppell Basketball team (5-6) hosts Little Elm (9-1) on Tuesday at 7:30 at the CHS Arena to open District 5-6A play.

After defeating Frisco Centennial in their last nondistrict game on Dec. 12, the Cowboys acknowledges that the first district game can foreshadow what is to come for the season and gain momentum.

“Each one of these 14 games is essentially a championship game because it could impact whether you’re playing for one or not,” Coppell coach Ryan Murphy said. “It’s imperative that we do a good job of having that mentality.”

According to Murphy, with a week to prepare it is vital for the team to play its best round of basketball. He said the team aims to play through adversity throughout its games this season and not let one bad play carry over into the entire game.

“When you’re playing against a good team like Little Elm you won’t have long periods of easy gameplay and have to make every possession count,” Murphy said. “That’s what we’ve been emphasizing and I think that’s gonna go a long way.”

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