Dodson Defeats Nashua in Thriller and Harlem JV

The Dodson Coyotes basketball team defeated the Nashua Porcupines and Harlem Wildcats JV team last week, sending the team into Christmas break with a win streak.

In Dodson's win over Nashua on Tuesday, December 21, senior Sebastian Best was able to make a pair of late free throws to seal the team's 61-60 victory.

The Coyotes were led by Junior Stiffarm who had a 23-point, 11 rebound double-double. He also had seven assists. Donovan Posey had 16 points, nine rebounds, six steals, and four assists. Posey knocked down four three-pointers. Lance KillEagle had 13 points, five rebounds, and two steals. Frank "Sonny" Cole had seven points and six rebounds. Best had two points, four rebounds and two assists.

Dodson fell behind early in the game and Nashua had a 26-19 lead going into halftime. The Coyotes fought back in the third, outscoring Nashua 22-14 and had a 41-40 lead going into the fourth quarter.

The Porkies went on a 14-5 run in the fourth quarter. The Coyotes trailed 55-48 with 2:32 left in the game. A couple of possessions later, Posey was able to knock down a trey in transition, cutting into the Porkies' lead. Nashua responded with a three of their own. Posey hit another trey on Dodson's next possession. Nashua led 58-54 with 1:11 left in the game.

Dodson fouled Nashua twice on the ensuing possession and sent Nashua to the line. Jackson Abern split the free throws. On Dodson's next possession, Best found Stiffarm for a three-pointer with 50 ticks left. The score was 59-57 in favor of Nashua.

Stiffarm gathered the defensive rebound on a missed two-point attempt by Nashua that he contested. Stiffarm passed the ball down court to a wide-open Posey, who tied the game with a crowd-pleasing layup. The score was 59-59 with 28 seconds left.

In an attempt to put pressure on the ball handler, Posey accidentally fouled Abern, sending him to the charity stripe for two attempts. Abern split the shots, putting Nashua up 60-59.

Cole would miss a three-point shot on Dodson's next possession, but Best grabbed the offensive rebound which was then tapped out of bounds. Best had a good look at a 12-foot jumpshot and was fouled on the shot.

Best converted both shots, the first of which bounced off the back of the rim, and was level with the shot clock before spinning around the hoop and through the net putting Dodson up 61-60 with 3.5 seconds left in the game. Nashua's Grady Nielsen put up a shot from the back of the midcourt logo, but the shot missed its mark.

The Coyotes ran off to a 21-4 start against Harlem JV last Thursday, December 21. By halftime, Dodson led 40-17. Harlem outscored the Coyotes 15-5 in the third quarter and 16-12 in the fourth, but Dodson held on to win 57-48.

Posey led all scorers with 20 points. He also had six rebounds and five steals. Stiffarm had 14 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Cole had 11 points and three steals. KillEagle had eight points, six rebounds, and three steals. Best had four points, 11 rebounds, and two steals.

The Coyotes will observe Christmas break and will not see their next opponent until their game against the Lustre Christian Lions on Friday, January 5, in Lustre. Dodson will also travel to Frazer for their second match against the Bearcubs on Saturday, January 6. Both events are slated to start with a Boys' JV game at 4:30 p.m., followed by Girls' Varsity at 6 p.m., and Boys' Varsity at 7:30 p.m.