Hot shooting Warriors down Potter-Dix

Potter-Dix players recognized something familiar in Friday night's rivalry game against Leyton.

"It's irritating that we can't ever get them," Cameron Purcell said. "We always start slow."

Indeed, Leyton dominated the first half on their way to a comfortable 63-40 road win. They put together runs of 13-2 and 10-2 in the early going and held an 18 point advantage at the break. By the end of the contest, 11 different Warriors had put points on the board.

"We were just executing our offense," explained Leyton forward Cody McKay.

On Friday night no Warrior was more visible in an offensive role than McKay. He opened the game with a reverse layup and followed almost immediately by hitting a nifty turn-around jumper.  He racked up 10 points in the first period and a game high 21 on the night.

"I just wanted redemption from the last few games," the junior said.

In between McKay's first quarter shots, Dylan Brenner scored on a drive into paint, Seth Schuessler converted a fast break, Jared Westman rolled one in after a quick move inside and Brennen Cruise hit a free throw.

Leyton jumped out on top 17-4 just before the end of the opening period.

"It's hard to beat a team that doesn't miss," observed Coyotes' guard Tyler Magninie.

Potter-Dix salvaged something from the first eight minutes when Bryant Knigge netted a long three at the buzzer. But the Warriors responded with a 10-2 spree that started with an A.W. Frerichs layup and ended when McKay took a deft pass from Drew Brenner to the rim.

The only blemish on Leyton's run was caused when Purcell hit an open jumper. The Coyotes' junior added a three pointer later in the second quarter. He finished the game with 10 points, equaling Knigge at the top of the Potter-Dix scoring chart.

"Cameron did a good job," Magninie said. "He really stepped up."

Inspired by Purcell's effort, the Coyotes came out of the break with a purpose. Magninie knocked one down from just inside the arc and Knigge followed with a nothing-but-net lob from three point range.

McKay broke the spell with a put back. But the Coyotes guards went right back to work, Magninie driving into the paint after a Warriors turnover and Knigge draining one from eight feet out.

The spurt closed the gap to 11 at 34-23. But Leyton again found the range.

Cruise sank a pair from the line then turned things over to the night's most prolific touch. McKay scored from under the rim and drew a foul, turning it into a three point play. He then sliced across the lane to drain a jumper.

Purcell tried to break the momentum, tacking on 5 points before the end of the period. However, Brenner turned a layup into three points after being hacked on the way up. And Westman popped one from the wing.

In the final quarter, Leyton continued to pour it on, adding 17 points.

"We missed a lot of shots the last time we played," Cruise said, referring to the team's 47-34 win over Potter-Dix in December. With the conference tournament looming, the senior forward added that Friday night's performance bodes well for the Warriors.

"We're pretty confident," he said.

For the Coyotes it was a learning experience.

"The last few teams we played haven't been aggressive," Magninie pointed out. "These guys gave us a wake up call."

Knigge, Coyotes roll over Hawks

The Coyotes rebounded from a big loss to Leyton by winning 62-47 over Hay Springs on Saturday. The road win evened the Coyotes record at 5-5, while the Hawks remain winless at 0-12.

Bryant Knigge came up big for Potter-Dix with 33 points to lead all scorers. Knigge shot an impressive 76 percent from the floor on 13-17 shooting. His numbers include 5-7 from beyond the three-point arc.

Trevor Harms continued his solid play with 8 points while Tyler Magninie added 6 and Cameron Purcell 5.

In addition to his point total, Knigge added 3 assists to his offensive resume. Trace Sharman also had 3 assists while Kelsey Rozelle and Jake Johsnon each had a pair.

 On defense Knigge's presence was also felt with his team leading 4 steals. On the boards Cameron Purcell was high man with 10 while Harms added 8 more.

As the fourth seed in the upcoming MAC Tournament the boys will open up at home against No. 5 Banner County on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. Should the Coyotes win they will play again at Sidney Middle School on Thursday at 3 p.m. against an opponent to be determined.

Boys Basketball

Leyton 63

Potter-Dix 40