Sidney D1-12 boys’ Subdistrict

Not much was going Potter-Dix’s way offensively in the late stages of Monday night’s Sidney D1-12 Subdistrict opener, so the Coyotes turned to defense in an effort to change their fate.

Trailing MAC rival Creek Valley by eight points with four minutes remaining, P-D turned up the heat, forced turnovers and used Luke Johnson’s three-point play to snag a pulsating 43-42 victory against the Storm at Cabela’s Athletic Facility.

“In the third quarter, we were missing short jumpers,” Coyotes coach Chad Miller said. “We had to do something else, so we started pressuring a little bit more.”

Creek (6-14) took full advantage, outscoring P-D (7-13) 11-6 in the third period to take a 31-27 lead.

Roger Behrends’ Storm then went on a 6-2 spurt to open the fourth period with a 37-29 command when center Luke Cavalli hit a short turn-around jumper and sank a pair of free throws with 4:32 remaining.

Potter-Dix then commenced its rally.

Brady Knigge kick-started things with a score, and — after CV’s Jordan Garcia made a foul shot — Jake Johnson followed suit before Bryant Knigge converted the first of two steals with a layup.

Sam Behrends made one of two foul shots and Lane Godfrey did the same at 2:20, punching Creek ahead 40-35, but Brady Knigge picked up another steal and layup to pull the Storm to within 40-39.

Garcia then had his shot blocked at the other end by Luke Johnson, which led to a runout and a foul on Jake Johnson’s layup try. He made one of two free throws, tying the game at 40 with 1:17 showing.

CV’s Garcia countered with a lauyup off a Godfrey assist just seconds later, good for a 42-40 Storm edge, but P-D pushed the basketball downcourt, and Bryant Knigge fed Luke Johnson for a score and foul at 50 seconds.

Johnson made the ensuing free throw, giving P-D the points it needed. The Coyotes rebounded after a Creek misfire, but turned the ball over. P-D did it once more after Creek missed three more chances, and that led to a bad pass at 5.9 seconds.

The Storm inbounded the ball and Sam Behrends missed a 3-pointer from near mid-court that would have won the game for Creek.

“That was crazy,” Miller said. “We gave them chances to win by turning it over. It was just enough.”

Bryant Knigge led Potter with 13 points, Luke Johnson adding eight, Jake Johnson and Tyler Magninie seven.

P-D suffered a second setback when freshman forward Cole Christensen went down with a knee injury. He is not expected to start this evening when the Coyotes meet top seed Minatare (12-6) at 6 p.m. in the first semifinal contest.

“We’re also missing Trevor Harms (knee),” Miller said. “It’s going to be up to Jake Johnson to come in and start for us. Whoever comes off the bench as second or third inside guy is going to be key for us.”

Minatare defeated the Coyotes 55-50 Friday night at Potter in the regular season finale.

“They hurt us inside, so we are going to have to be aware of that tonight,” Miller said.

Cavalli (14 points) and Sam Behrends (13) led Creek, which exited with its 6-14 log.

“We let this one slip away from us,” Roger Behrends said. “We were up eight with about four minutes left in the game, and missed easy shots and free throws down the stretch. It was very disappointing.”

CREEK VALLEY (6-14)

Brott 0 0-0 0, Godfrey 3 1-2 8, Garcia 3 1-4 7, McConnell 0 0-0 0, SBehrends 4 4-6 13, Cavalli 6 2-3 14. Totals 16 8-15 42

POTTER-DIX (7-13)

BraKnigge 2 0-1 4, BryKnigge 6 0-0 13, LJohnson 2 4-9 8, JJohnson 3 1-2 7, Magninie3 0-1 7, Christensen 1 2-3 4. Totals 17 7-16 43

Creek Valley 8 12 11 11—42

Potter-Dix 12 9 6 16—43

3-point goals — Creek 2 (Godfrey, Sbehrends), P-D 2 (BryKnigge, Magninie). Team fouls — Creek 15, P-D 13.