Junior Braden Coplan poured in a careerhigh 46 points to lead West Prairie to an 80-67 non-conference victory over Mendon Unity Friday evening in Mendon.
The win improved the Cyclones to 24-5 for the season with one regular season game remaining.
“Braden was a force on the offensive end,” said WPHS head coach Ian Conkling. “But, he was in foul trouble in the second half so our depth had to step up.”
The game was physical throughout and the first quarter was a see-saw affair.
Coplan scored 11 points in the opening period, but West Prairie still trailed 18-17 after one quarter.
The Mustangs stayed close for most of the second quarter and took their last lead of the night on a three-point play by Sawyer Allen with 4:46 to go in the first half to put Unity on top 29-28.
Coplan erupted for 19 points in the quarter including two treys and going 7-for-7 from the charity stripe, but he was whistled for his third foul of the half on a technical with just 33 seconds remaining as the Cyclones would take a 44-34 advantage into the locker room.
A free throw by Carson Trautvetter brought the Mustangs to within 44-35 to start the third quarter, but that would be as close as the hosts would get the rest of the night as WPHS led by as many as 17 points late in the game to cruise to the victory.
“We talked about it being a playoff game,” said Conkling. “An opportunity to play a topfive regional team on the road and playing a team that has been playing good basketball.”
Ryan Clark added 14 points for the Cyclones while Matt Whitman and Eli DeCounter had eight points each and Holden Coplan added four points.
Unity (12-12) placed five players in double- figures and were led by Adler Gray with 20 points.
“Overall, it was a very emotional and tense game which truly gave it postseason vibes,” said Conkling. “I’m proud of our resiliency and road warrior mentality. The expectation is to constantly prove ourselves and be at our best as we close the regular season.”
West Prairie will travel to Camp Point Central on Thursday to close out the regular season against the Panthers in another non-conference battle.
Regional play is scheduled to get underway on Feb. 23 with West Prairie hosting Southeastern at a time to be announced.
A win would advance the Cyclones to semifinal play Feb. 25 at Tremont.
The West Prairie junior varsity improved to 22-2 for the season with a 64-54 victory over Unity.
Three players were in double-figures for the Cyclones who were led by Gannon Shipman with 19 points while Cam Melvin and Ivan Beck added 16 and 12 points respectively.
Other WPHS scorers included Holden Coplan with seven, Tyson Carnes with four and Ayden Lacey with three. Mason Sorrells added two points and Mason Whitman had one point.
