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5 Keys: Coffman outlasts Gahanna

By Emma Ervin, 12/28/22, 10:15PM EST

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Late game runs fuel the Rocks' cross divisional victory against the Lions

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Dublin Coffman and Gahanna Lincoln met in a heavyweight cross divisional OCC matchup on Wednesday night. The Rocks used two second half runs to push past a feisty Lions squad who refused to quit. Coffman outlasted Gahanna in the end by a score of 62-52. 

Both teams experienced a sluggish start to the game, scoring just ten points each in the first quarter. Turnovers were plenty and neither team could get an open look to fall. Midway through the first period, senior Keiryn McGuff picked up her second foul and was forced to the bench. This would make things challenging for the Rocks in the second quarter. 

The second quarter was a little more fast paced and viewers experienced some good basketball. Senior Jenna Kopyar kicked things off with a three for the Rocks but freshman Haedyn Hull answered for the Lions. Kopyar drained another three but senior Clarke Jackson responded with a layup. 

Most of the second quarter featured basket trading. Midway through the quarter, McGuff picked up her third foul of the game, retiring her to the bench yet again. Kopyar scored four straight points to push the Coffman lead to four but junior Leshae Berry drained a three to cut the lead just before the half. Despite missing McGuff for most of the first half, the Rocks held a 29-28 lead heading into halftime. 

Coffman came out of halftime looking at a different team. McGuff immediately made her presence known with a layup. In the next handful of possessions, senior Tessa Grady rattled off eight straight points including a three and a three point play. Junior Aaliyah Younger stopped the 10-0 run by connecting on two free throws. 

McGuff kicked off another run by the Rocks with a free throw. A layup by Kopyar, a three by junior Gwen Jenkins and a two by junior Avery Mather pushed the lead to 17 and a final free throw by McGuff capped the 19-2 run. The Lions ended the third on a 6-0 run to cut the lead and head into the fourth quarter down 48-36. 

Senior Laila Marshall continued chipping away at the Coffman lead to begin the fourth, eventually cutting the lead to ten. The Rocks quickly answered with a 12-2 run to push the lead back to 20. Marshall scored six straight points to give the Lions a burst of energy. 

Senior Emily Marzetz sank two free throws and Jackson converted on a breakaway layup to cut the lead to ten with just under a minute left. This 10-0 run by the Lions was too little too late for Gahanna who would go on to lose the game by a score of 62-52.

Kopyar paced the Rocks with 21 in the win and was supported by Grady with 17 and McGuff with 10. Marshall scored 21 for the Lions and Jackson added 12. A notable performance to mention was that by Mather. She was all over the court for Coffman on both ends of the floor. She has improved defensively and is really starting to impact the game for the Rocks.

  1. Offensive Rebounds: On Wednesday, a large chunk of the Rocks’ points came from second chance opportunities. The Lions had no answer for Coffman’s domination on the boards on either end of the floor and it really altered the game, especially in the second half. Senior Keiryn McGuff was the leader in this department and made her presence known in the second half after sitting the bench in foul trouble in the first. 

  2. Second Half Runs: Coffman came out of half time on a 19-2 run, establishing an 18 point lead midway through the quarter. After struggling to close out the third, the Rocks started the fourth quarter just as hot, this time on a 12-4 run. If it weren't for these two large runs, it would have been an entirely different ballgame. 

  3. Jenna Kopyar: Sometimes it feels like this is a no brainer but it cannot be stated enough… Jenna Kopyar wins basketball games and as of late, Jenna Kopyar has been playing some outstanding basketball. Wednesday, she was active in the passing lanes and on the boards, scored consistently and made the right play every time she had the ball. She makes everyone around her better. While we did not keep official stats, Kopyar had to have flirted with a triple double (points, rebounds, assists) on Wednesday. 

  4. Active Defense: Offensive rebounds were definitely the biggest key to the game for Coffman but active defense was a close second. The Rocks made passing difficult, forced ball handlers to think twice when making decisions and put the Lions in sticky situations frequently. In the first half, they forced at least ten turnovers which led to great opportunities at the offensive end of the floor.  

  5. Unselfish Basketball: Year in and year out, Coffman plays a specific brand of basketball thanks to Head Coach Adam Banks. A staple of their system? Unselfish basketball. The Rocks always make the extra pass and it’s clear that they do not care who gets the credit. This resulted in wide open looks both at the rim and from the three point line on Wednesday.

MVP: Keiryn McGuff (2023 / Dublin Coffman / Forward)

Top Scorer: Jenna Kopyar (2023 / Dublin Coffman / Guard), Laila Marshall (2023 / Gahanna Lincoln /Guard) - 21 

Hustle Player: Avery Mather (2024 / Dublin Coffman / Guard)

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