Coahoma falls short in fourth quarter against Jim Ned

Both teams entered the contest 1-0 in district play, which is expected for the playoff tradition Jim Ned, but not so much for the upstart Bulldogs. The energized Bulldogs went toe-to-toe with the Indians for three quarters. Coahoma led by one after the first quarter, Jim Ned had a three-point lead at halftime and clung to a 41-37 lead going into the final quarter. 

In the fourth Coahoma went ice cold. The fourth started with Jim Ned's Hank Ritter nailing his third three-pointer of the game followed by a basket by Coahoma post player Landon Wells. After that it took Coahoma four minutes to score its next basket. By then Jim Ned had built its lead to 52-41 with 2:50 left in the game. 

Coahoma coach Lonnie Burnam said it was a case of his team trying too hard. "We changed what we were doing of offense.  We started pressing too much, trying to catch up too quickly," Burnam said.  "It's like the Israelites. They had to wander 40 years before they could win. That was us. Jim Ned has been in this situation. They have playoff experience and tradition. They know what to do. We're still trying to get there." 

In the first quarter Boyd Cox's free throw gave Coahoma a 14-13 lead after one. In the second quarter Ryan Shifflett made three consecutive baskets propelling Coahoma at a 21-18 lead midway through the quarter. Jim Ned would outscore Coahoma 9-3 the rest of the quarter to take a 27-24 halftime lead. 

The two teams pretty much played on even terms in the third quarter, setting the stage for Coahoma's meltdown in the final quarter. "Right now, the kids are paying their dues. They'll continues to grow and get better. Next time around I think we will beat those guys, said an upbeat Burnam.  Shifflett led the Coahoma effort with 16 points. Wells had 10 points and seven rebounds. Devon Bennett and Cox scored nine and eight points respectively. Ritter paced Jim Ned with 16 points. 

The Bulldogs, 11-7 for the season, will be on the road Friday against Merkel.

COAHOMA - Ryan Shifflett 6-4 16; Boyd Cox 3-2 8; Devon Bennett 4-0 9; Landon Wells 4-2 10; totals 17-44, 8-17 43.

JIM NED - Wyatt Nickerson 1-0 2; Carter Wood 4-0 9; Colt Lindsey 4-1 9; Gray Beasley 1-0 2; Hank Ritter 6-2 16; Carter Lange 2-0 4; C. Martin 2-2 6; Hunter Beasley 1 0 2; totals  21-51, 7-17 53.

SCORE

COAHOMA:  14-10-13-06 - 43.

JIM NED:       13-14-14-12 – 53.

Turnovers - Coahoma 8, Jim Ned 8; Three Pointers - Coahoma (Bennett); Jim Ned (Riter 3, Wood 1); Rebounds - Coahoma 25 (Wells 7, Billy Bailey 5); Jim Ned 27 (Wood 8, Lange 5); Assists - Coahoma (Perkins 3, Cox 2, Shifflett 2);  Jim Ned (Linsey 3, Lange 2); Blocked  Shots  - Coahoma) (Wells 2); Jim Ned (Lindsey 1, Lange 1).