Twice as Nice

In Doubleheader in Rockdale, La Grange Boys and Girls Grab Historic Playoff Victories

For the first time in seven years, the La Grange boys basketball team won a playoff game Tuesday, using a big second half to defeat Jarrell 55-43.

“It’s been a while,” said La Grange head coach David Cooper. “We talked at the beginning of the year about getting over the hump. We wanted to let them know what it feels like, how good it feels.”

The postseason party was short-lived, however, as Wednesday the Leps were eliminated in the second round by Carthage. La Grange rallied from a big first half deficit to get within four points late but lost 52-47.

But Wednesday’s result did nothing to diminish Tuesday’s historic win.

It had been since 2014 since the Leps has tasted postseason victory on the basketball court and down by two at halftime Tuesday it seemed like the drought might last a little longer for La Grange.

But senior Caden Cooper and sophomore Jonathan Rogers sparked a 8-0 run by La Grange to start the third quarter.

By the end of that period the Leps (14-7) were up 40-33 and that lead only grew in the fourth quarter.

“At halftime we talked about how we weren’t playing very good defense like we normally play,” said David Cooper. “We talked about taking charges because the officials were doing a good job of calling charges and we weren’t stepping in and taking those. We drew three or four in the second half and that changed the game.”

Sophomore Jaxon Cooper led the Leps with 17 points.

“Feels pretty good. At the beginning I was a little worried,” Jaxon Cooper said. “It’s great to get the first playoff win in a while.”

Fellow sophomore Ty Trlicek was a big spark off the bench for the Leps, scoring 11.

“It was crazy. I didn’t know what to expect at first,” said Trlicek, who was one of several Leps who were playing in their first ever postseason game. “On the second half we brought more energy and executed the game plan better.”

The Leps then faced that quick turnaround to play Carthage.

“When we lose, that’s their last game (for the four Leps seniors), so we want to keep going for them,” Jaxon Cooper said.

2/23/21

La Grange boys 55, Jarrell 43

La Grange 11 13 16 15 – 55

Jarrell 12 14 7 10 – 43

La Grange scoring: Alijah Grant 2, Caden Cooper 12, Dana Baker 4, Ty Trlicek 11, Jonathan Rogers 7, Jaxon Cooper 17, Andrew Faske 2.