Elida, San Jon split district games

ELIDA — Despite playing a pretty competitive second half, the Elida boys basketball team found itself in too much of a first-half hole Saturday night and couldn't overcome San Jon, falling 57-40.

The Coyotes (6-5, 2-1) were led by the combo of Daniel Lee and Jacob Thurman, who filled up the stat sheet with 18 and 15 points, respectively. The Tigers (2-14, 0-3) were led by Kaul Burton with 15 points.

"Our game plan was to try to run our pace," Elida coach Logan Turnbow said, "and move the ball side to side to get them to rotate and open up some gaps we could attack."

The size and athleticism of the Coyotes would prove too much though, forcing Elida into 14 turnovers on the night. While the Tigers managed to slow San Jon down offensively, they had no answer for the 6-foot-4 Lee, who dominated on both ends of the court - snagging seemingly every rebound, blocking shots and scoring at will.

The Coyotes' athleticism was on display as well, constantly pushing the ball for fast break opportunities.

"I thought we really moved the ball well and we really saw the floor to get down the court," said Coyotes coach Scotty Gates. "They (Elida) are tough and they will be tough; they have a lot of young talent coming up right now."

Despite a 19-point halftime deficit, the Tigers managed to out score San Jon by two points in the final half. Turnbow saw that as part of the positive despite the loss.

"I think our defensive transition was a little bit better," said Turnbow. "Going into halftime down 19 like we were, that gave us every opportunity to quit, and to come out and beat them in the second half, I think that says a lot about our guts and our heart."

Elida 62, San Jon 8 (girls) — The Tigers had little problem in the early game, holding the Coyotes scoreless in the second and third quarters of a game that featured a running clock in the second half.

Madi Haley scored 18, while Lacy Ferguson and Bonnie Bennett each added 10 for Elida (14-3).