By McKenna Cooley
The men’s varsity basketball team was recognized at the Henderson City Hall on Thursday, March 3 for winning the Sunrise Division I bracket and being the first Henderson team to reach the state finals in a long time. This was the first time in Coronado’s history the team has met with such success.
“The team’s chemistry and everybody accepting their roles on the team is the most intricate part of our success,” Khylon Brooks, junior, said.
The team defeated Eldorado 70-32 on Feb. 19 earning them a spot in the State Division I bracket. They traveled to Reno Feb. 24-27 to compete in the state tournament. They placed second after losing their final game to Gorman.
“I think everyone had a good time on the trip. We had some great positive vibes going on,” Stuart White, junior, said. “I think the most important part of our team’s success is that we need every single member, like pieces in a puzzle.”
The team beat Carson High School 53-43 on Thursday, Feb. 25. They became a united force against Carson after the first quarter.
The Cougars took the lead in the second quarter continuing with a 21-16 lead at the half. During the third quarter, the team shut out Carson for over seven minutes. Carson snuck in a few shots in the final quarter, but Coronado still pulled out the win.
In the final battle for the state championship, the Cougars lost against Gorman High School 63-83 on Friday, Feb. 26. Gorman started strong continuing the tradition of their past four large-school state titles.
With this loss, the Cougars placed second in the Division I State Finals and advanced further than any other public school in their division.
“This group of student athletes set goals and did everything they needed to do to reach them,”
Coach Kaufman said.
