The Fayette County Record
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Leps Fall to Taylor

By Jeff Wick
La Grange’s Jaxon Cooper dribbles down the court in Tuesday’s game against Taylor. Cooper scored 28 of the Leps’ 48 points. Photo by Jeff Wick
La Grange’s Ty Trlicek playing defense in Tuesday’s game against Taylor. Photo by Jeff Wick

The Leps basketball team learned the hard way that the 2023 version of the Taylor Ducks is better than the 2022 version.

Before Christmas the La Grange boys bashed the Ducks by 16.

But Tuesday, these teams met in the second round of district play and Taylor won 53-48 to knock the Leps out of a three-way tie for first in District 22-4A.

“It was a month and five days since we had played them. I preached for two days that just because you beat them in the first round doesn’t mean you are going to beat them in the second round,” said La Grange head coach David Cooper. “I knew they are going to be ready to play and be better. They looked like a completely different team. They had a lot more energy than when we played them last time. I think we went over and surprised them at their place. I know they only have a 3-4 district record now, but I feel like they are one of the most talented teams in the district.”

Taylor controlled the tempo of the game early and led by 13 at halftime.

“When we played them the first time, they played man (defense) against us the whole time,” said La Grange senior guard Clayton Knapik. “They saw we struggled against the zone and they sat in the zone and we struggled to get offense early on.”

La Grange finally got things going late in the game and twice trimmed the Taylor lead to just five points on buckets by Jaxon Cooper in the final minute but could never get closer.

Cooper led the Leps with 28 points. Nate Scott scored 11. No other Lep scored more than three points.

Tuesday’s loss drops the Leps to 14-10 overall and 5-2 in district.

They play Friday at last place Caldwell.

“We just have to focus on one game at a time, every team in this district is good,” Knapik said.

1/23/23

Taylor boys 53, La Grange 48 Taylor 14 18 9 12 – 53 LG 9 10 10 19 – 48

LG scoring: Jaxon Cooper 28, Nate Scott 11, Jaden Williams 3, Jacob Chovanetz 2, Eli Roberts 2, Reece Nygren 2.

Record: Leps are 14-10 overall and 5-2 in district.

District 22-4A Boys Standings Manor NT 6-1 Giddings 6-1 La Grange 5-2 Smithville 3-4 Taylor 3-4 Austin Achieve 1-6 Caldwell 0-6

JV: La Grange 34, Taylor 27 Leading scorer: Meng 8

Freshmen: La Grange 40, Taylor 27 Leading scorer: Buscher 17

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