Russell, James pace Coconino in win over Notre Dame
Brent James carries the load for the first three quarters before Justin Russell comes through in the fourth for the Panthers.For the majority of three quarters Wednesday night, Coconino senior forward Justin Russell sat on the Panthers bench in foul trouble and the team's leading returning scorer was forced to watch his teammates go all out against Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep.
In the fourth, Panthers coach Kelly Smith let his big man back on the court with four fouls and Russell didn't disappoint. The senior scored nine of his 11 points in the fourth and grabbed a critical rebound in the final minute to lift CHS to a 61-57 win in its home opener over the Saints.
"I went from being in a terrible mood to a really good mood in the fourth," Russell said. "It's just the worst feeling in the world to have to sit on the bench and not be able to help your teammates. But, all the coaches and players made sure I kept my head up and I was ready to go when I went back in."
Russell scored early in the fourth to give CHS (1-1) a seven-point lead at 50-43. The senior then scored the next three points for the Panthers, but the Saints went on an 11-3 run during that stretch to take a 54-53 lead with just more than a minute remaining.
After junior forward Brent James came up with a steal, the Panthers brought the ball down the court looking to take the lead with less than a minute to play. The Panthers went to Russell and he came through, scoring a bucket to give CHS a one-point lead.
On the next possession, Notre Dame Prep's Brian Caravan missed a short jumper and Russell came down with the rebound and was fouled instantly with 30.7 seconds left. He sank both free throws to push it to a three-point lead and the Saints wouldn't get closer in the final half minute.
"I'm really proud of Justin for keeping his head in the game and coming through for us when we needed him to," Smith said. "Every time he'd come off with another foul, I made sure he was still in the game and not sulking and he wasn't."
While Russell was on the bench, James picked up the scoring slack, going 7 of 10 from the field and leading the team with 14 points.
"I thought Brent James played an outstanding game tonight," Smith said. "He was in the middle of everything."
The Panthers went into halftime trailing by one, 25-24, but opened the second half on a 12-2 lead and didn't trail again until the Saints (1-3) made it 54-53.
Smith was less than pleased with how his team came out in the opening half, but was much more satisfied with CHS's play in the second.
"We had only played one game before tonight and I think it showed," Smith said. "We made some crucial mistakes, which made the game closer than it needed to be. But, tonight was a good start and now we just have to start playing more games."
The Panthers will get that chance Thursday at home against Smith's alma matter, Phoenix Paradise Valley. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
