Trailing by 9 points at the half, the Potter-Dix Coyotes looked destined for the loser’s bracket at the MAC tournament in Kimball Thursday afternoon. But the combination of the Ottoson brothers, Jordan and Ty, a splash of Gassleing, Jeremy that is, and a mix of Nick Jones, blew up the third quarter and ultimately secured the win for the Coyotes.

The Coyotes downed The South Platte Knights, 61-57. They lost to the Knights on Jan. 9 of this year, by 12, 40-52.

The Ottoson brothers came out of the locker room intent on netting some points for their team. Combined, they led the Coyotes on a 12-7 run beginning with Jordan Ottoson hitting a pair of gift shots and ending with Ty Ottoson draining a three.

Although the brothers didn’t cool off in the third, they did spread the ball around letting team mates Gassling, 2, and Jones, 3, contribute.

All told, the Coyotes scored 24 points to the Knights 11 in the third period.

The Knights rallied back in the fourth, tying the game on a field goal by Kyle Krause.

The Knights rally was led by 6 foot 6 inch senior Jason Dolezal. Dolezal played havoc under the boards offensively and defensively. He fouled out in the fourth with 3:03 left in the game, sending Jay Welch to the line with two shots.

Welch drained his gift shots giving the Coyotes the lead back. A lead they never surrendered again.

Jones, Gasseling and Welch all contributed to the fourh quarter burst for the Coyotes pushing the game out of reach for South Platte.

The Coyotes advanced to the second round of the tournament to be played against Creek Valley. That game took place at 6:30 p.m. on Friday.

The Coyotes were led in scoring by T. Ottoson with 20. The younger of the brothers had two treys and was 2/2 at the line. Welch followed with 12. Welch was 4/7 at the line. J, Ottoson tallied up 11 points and was 3⁄4 at the line. Jones nailed 2 treys and shot 2/2 at the line for 8 points. Gasseling had 6, and Clint Serres had 4.

The Coyotes maintained their momentum going into the championship game against Creek Valley on Friday. The Ottoson brothers again dominated on the court, but so too did Jones, Welch and Gasseling. Combined, the team from Potter-Dix displayed teamwork and a strong effort to win 57-52 and take MAC Tournament top honors.

The Coyotes trailed by one, 14-15, at the end of the first quarter. They bombarded the Storms defense scoring 19 in the second quarter to take an 10 point lead at the half, 33-23.

They continued to lead by ten in the third, 43-33.

Creek Valley attempted a late game comeback but could not break through the tenacious Coyotes. As the last few seconds fell off the clock, the Coyotes were all smiles and fist pumps, knowing full well that they won. When the final buzzer sounded, Coach Dale Frerichs threw his arms into the air, obviously exalted they pulled out the victory.

Gasseling led the scoring effort in the championship game with 14. He was followed by Jones and  T. Ottoson with 12, Welch and J. Ottoson had 6.