Coronado Crowned NIAA 5A State Champs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coronado and Liberty clashed for the NIAA 5A State Championship at Valley High School. Both coaches, Jeff Kaufman (Coronado) and Keith Ulrich (Liberty) rolled out incredibly talented starting lineups, and things were contentious all game long. With neither team wanting to blink first. The Liberty seniors: [player_tooltip player_id='1463237' first='Tayshawn' last='Caesar'], [player_tooltip player_id='1463230' first='Tyus' last='Thomas'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1493480' first='Dante' last='Steward'] put their first 11 points on the board. While Coronado's point guard, [player_tooltip player_id='1406767' first='Munir' last='Greig'], started to get downhill. After the first quarter it was 11-7 Liberty.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Things then turned up a notch in the second quarter when Coronado's offense started to flow, and they stole the lead, going up 30-25 into halftime. However Thomas was still getting good chances and Coronado knew their lead wasn't safe. [player_tooltip player_id='1707488' first='Demari' last='Hunter']then sparked a strong third quarter for them, playing with great energy on both ends and notably scoring eight points. The Cougars steadily widened their lead to 46-37 with just eight minutes to go.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At the start of the fourth quarter, a technical was assessed to the Cougars. [player_tooltip player_id='1463230' first='Tyus' last='Thomas'] went to the line, however he converted just one of the two attempts. Still, it cut into the Cougars' lead without taking any time off the clock. [player_tooltip player_id='1406767' first='Munir' last='Greig'] then had to come out for a minute or two due to a cramp, and Liberty got Coronado's lead down to six thanks to [player_tooltip player_id='1493480' first='Dante' last='Steward'] hitting a three. But [player_tooltip player_id='1463264' first='Jonny' last='Collins'] answered with a tough drive to the cup for two. However, he then had to come out for a minute (likely due to a cramp).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taytum responded with a baseline floater on the other end to make it 49-43. Then Oba was the third Cougar in a row to get a cramp and had to come out around the four-minute mark. With time dwindling down, the Cougars needed to execute. And they did. [player_tooltip player_id='1406767' first='Munir' last='Greig'] drove to the hoop and got it to Devvaughn Dorrough at the last second for a dunk at the 2:41 mark to make it 51-43. However, he had to come out again, this time due to a shoulder issue.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coronado then extended it to 53-43 after Hunter got to the charity stripe and made two free throws with about two minutes left. Greig came back in and Oba was back in as well. But only a few seconds later, [player_tooltip player_id='1493480' first='Dante' last='Steward'] got a three to go and Liberty immediately called a timeout. Out of the timeout, Greig was fouled and put away both free throws, getting the Cougars' lead up to 55-46.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Then Thomas hit a floater and time started to wind down fast. The following possession, Thomas made a three and there was only a minute left — 55-51 Cougars. [player_tooltip player_id='1490283' first='Amare' last='Oba'] then went to the line after getting fouled inside. He hit one of two, and the Cougars' lead was up to five. Thomas then got downhill and was fouled with about 30 seconds left. He went one for two, and Greig brought the rock up before being fouled and sent to the line. He connected on both, making it a six-point game with 25 seconds left.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Steward then got the ball for the Patriots and dropped in a shot from three-point land, making it 58-55 with about 10 seconds left. The Cougars then called a timeout, and Greig got the inbounds pass out of it. He was promptly fouled with 7.5 seconds left, and he drained both, making it 60-55. Liberty then brought it up one last time, and Thomas took a long-range heave but it didn't go.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Coronado Cougars got the job done, winning the NIAA 5A State Title. Coach Jeff Kaufman's first. It was an amazing game from both teams, and fans were kept entertained all night with the shot-making and intensity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1406767"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6999df14699d9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1406767' first='Munir' last='Greig'] kept defenders on their heels all game long, consistently drawing contact on his drives to the rack. He made them pay at the line, knocking down an impressive 12 free throws. Greig also drained a couple of 3-pointers and dished out several quality assists that led to easy buckets for his teammates. Overall, it was a complete performance from him and a fitting way to cap off a great season for the Cougars.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stats - 20 Points </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1707488"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6999df1469a4f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1707488' first='Demari' last='Hunter'] played with championship-level effort in the NIAA 5A State Final. He used his lateral quickness to stifle opponents and showed strong awareness on the defensive end. On offense, he caught fire in the third quarter, burying two triples and a layup to help the Cougars take a sizable lead into the fourth. Hunter finished the game with 14 points.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2484289"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6999df1469a9d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2484289' first='Devaughn' last='Dorrough'] found success inside for the Cougars last night. He opened the game with an offensive rebound and a quick putback for two, then used his height and vertical to record a block and throw down a dunk. Dorrough continued to make plays in the second half, adding six more points, including another dunk. He finished the night with 10 points.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1463230"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6999df1469ae7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1463230' first='Tyus' last='Thomas'] was splashing in 3-pointers, jumpers, and floaters in the first half. Helping Liberty keep pace with Coronado. A couple of his makes came from well beyond the arc with limited breathing room. In the second half, he added another 3-pointer along with a few more buckets. Thomas finished with 20 points and competed hard until the final buzzer.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1493480"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6999df1469b2b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1493480' first='Dante' last='Steward'] was a consistent contributor on offense for the Patriots yesterday, and he elevated his play even more in the second half. He had a couple of effective baseline drives and knocked down three more triples, giving him five total for the game. His ability to score both inside and out gave the Cougars real problems. Although Liberty didn't come away with the win, Steward delivered a high-level performance, finishing with 22 points.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Other Notable Performers </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1490283' first='Amare' last='Oba'] - Crashed the boards all game and had 6 points, including a much needed free throw at the end of the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Siyahe Siaisia - Had a steal and a monster dunk in the first half. Along with another 3 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1463264' first='Jonny' last='Collins'] - Dropped 5 points and played hard nose defense for the Cougars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taytum Cios-Webb - Got after it on defense and hounded opponents relentlessly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1463237' first='Tayshawn' last='Caesar'] - Hustled on the defensive end, frustrating his matchup. And scored 9 points for the Patriots. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Rounding Out The Championship Roster</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2819205' first='Graceson' last='Snow']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2888920' first='Logan' last='Svendson'] </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Corbin Sabate</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brayden Bauman</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2407333' first='Cooper' last='Stahl'] </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eric Hopkins </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/nv/henderson/coronado-cougars/athletes/angelo-leaureaux/?careerid=ron2oh8qfq622">[player_tooltip player_id='2407329' first='Angelo' last='Leaureaux']</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->