In the first quarter of the District 5-6A opener, the Coppell boys basketball team played a game of catch up as Little Elm was two or three points ahead. But this was returned tenfold starting in the second quarter and continuing throughout the game as the Cowboys defeated Little Elm, 67-60, on Tuesday at CHS Arena.

For the entirety of the second and third quarters Coppell was ahead of Little Elm, at one time leading 51-33 after a 3-point shot from Coppell senior guard Nathan Rusch.

Coppell junior guard Sibu Socks said Little Elm began to tire in the second and third quarters.

”I’m used to playing for long periods of time which is why I didn’t get extremely tired during the game,” Socks said. “It’s just because of how we go, [Coppell coach Ryan Murphy] is pushing us to go hard in our two hours of practice and that showed on the court today.”

Little Elm drops to 9-2 overall this season.

“Coming in we had a good scouting report on them but I wouldn’t say it was an intimidation thing, we just knew how capable they were and what we had to do on the court,” Socks said.

When it comes to competition and the remaining teams they will be playing this season, Rusch likes his team’s chances in District 5-6A.

“Every team in our district is capable of beating us but we’re also capable of beating them,” Rusch said. “Guyer is always a competitive team but we will just have to prepare even more for them, that’s all.”

The Cowboys play at Lewisville on Friday at 7 p.m.

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