Central Bobcats Survive Coronado Comeback, Win Bi-District in OT

What seemed like a blowout early quickly devolved into one of the greatest comeback attempts any fan of basketball will ever see as Coronado stormed back. Central lost the lead with just six seconds to play in the 4th quarter, and it took a buzzer-beater from Jaylen Franklin to send the game to OT. In overtime, the Bobcats proved to be the better team, outscoring El Paso 8-1 in the extra period to take home the trophy and advance.

Coach Geter had words for his squad in the huddle before the start of overtime.

"Whoever gets the lead first will win this game," Geter said to the Bobcats. "If you get it, if you can score, we will get into 21 [defense], we will protect the rim and rock-and-roll."

His words proved to be prophetic, as a few minutes after scoring the basket to send the game to OT, Franklin would score the basket to give the Bobcats the go-ahead points Central needed to lock down the win.

But how did Central put themselves in a position to win? Ean McNeill and TK Taylor, that's how. McNeill had one of the best first halves anyone could ask for when he helped put Central up ten points at the half with 18 first-half points. McNeill hit four three-point shots in the 2nd quarter, including a 4-point play, to set the Bobcats up with what looked to be the beginnings of a blowout. Taylor was not far behind with 13 points. The two combined for 31 of the Bobcats' 37 points in the first half.

"TK and Ean, all season long, have been our dudes. There is no denying it," Geter said of his leading scorers. "They are special. They love each other and their team. The first thing they said in overtime was that we are going to do this. There is nothing else to it other than we are going to do it...they spent their whole lives in the gym and they deserve this. I am very proud of them."

Both Taylor and McNeill led the Bobcats in scoring on Tuesday night with 24 points apiece. Franklin added ten points, including two of the most important baskets in the contest, while Trey Allen followed with seven points.

As the competition intensified, the Bobcats responded extremely well to the adversity and did precisely what it took to win this game.

"Anything can happen in the playoffs," Geter concluded. "It's who wants it more. Who's going to be prepared more, and who is going to love it more? We do. We just want it more. We want that winning culture."

With the win, the Bobcats advance to the second round of the playoffs for just the third time since 2012 win Central went three rounds deep in the playoffs. The Bobcats will face off with the winner between Southlake Carroll and Crowley. The date and time of the matchup are still to be determined.