CARROLLTON – Five years coming.
The Coppell boys basketball team earned its first playoff win in five years, defeating Plano East, 69-56, in the Class 6A bi-district playoffs at Creekview High School Gym. Coppell faces tonight’s Lake Highlands-Arlington Martin winner in the area playoffs.
From opening possession, Coppell set the tone defensively. Senior guard Sibu Socks forced an early turnover and quickly converted momentum into points, finishing an and-one at the rim to ignite the crowd who stayed loud all night.
Plano East kept the first quarter tight, holding the lead briefly after a late basket, but Coppell responded behind junior guard Isaiah Fleming scoring the final bucket of the quarter to push the Cowboys ahead 20-19.
Fleming continued to provide energy heading into the break. His 3-pointer with 1:27 left in the half extended Coppell’s momentum and sent the Cowboys into halftime with a nine-point lead.
The Cowboys emphasized ball movement, a focus that showed throughout the first half.
“We knew they were going to be the best defensive team we played all year,” Coppell coach Ryan Murphy said. “We wanted to make sure we were moving the ball, opening gaps and not getting into too many one-on-one battles. The guys did a great job putting themselves in position.”
Coppell opened the second half with another defensive sequence, forcing a turnover with 11:24 left in the third that led to senior forward Colin Griffith scoring the first points of the half, bringing the score to 41-32 over the Panthers.
Plano East cut into the deficit in the third quarter, but Coppell maintained control through interior scoring and free throws. Griffith’s finish in the point, coupled with a key late sequence at the line with sophomore guard Jacob Anene making one of two free throws before Socks secured the rebound and got fouled for two more, helped preserve separation.
Murphy credits team growth for the victory.
“We were 13-19 last year,” Murphy said. “Those guys could have not bought in. Instead, they pulled together when nobody else believed in them, and they deserve all the credit.”
In the final minutes, Coppell slowed the game and executed. Senior guard Levi Owira knocked down two free throws with 4.1 seconds remaining.
For Anene, the win carries meaning beyond the scoreboard.
“Nobody really thought we could make it here,” Anene said. “We made it.”
The playoff journey continues.
“It’s exciting,” Murphy said. “We’ll let the boys enjoy it, being the first playoff win in five years, and then tomorrow we get back to work.”
