Lions roar past fast-starting playoff newcomer

Coppin Academy can’t sustain strong start in first season in state playoffs

Coppin Academy’s girls basketball team got off to a good start in their first appearance in the state semifinals Friday night, but everything changed pretty quickly.

The Golden Eagles got a six-point jump on Largo in the first quarter before the Lions came roaring back to take a 15-point lead at the half and go on to win 66-39 at Towson University’s SECU Arena. The Lions (19-8) will return Saturday for the 6 pm. state final against Southern of Garrett County, a winner over No. 12 Pikesville in the other semifinal.

Coppin Academy, a public charter school on the campus of Coppin State University in Baltimore City, had not been in the Maryland state playoff system until this season and they had some strong showings during the season, falling only to No. 8 John Carroll, 75-68, and to two out-of-town teams. The Eagles (21-4) cruised through the 1A East region by an average of 25.3 points.

“Ourgoal was set out in August, preseason conditioning and I told them our goal was to get to the final four,” Coppin coach Ulysses Hardy said, “and at that time, it’s the four best teams and let the chips fall where they fall. We pushed them hard and they stayed loyal and committed starting in August. … We had a good preparation. We had a good week this week. My freshmen grew up. The upperclassmen did what they needed to do to help them throughout the season and I’m 100 percent proud of them, but I really believe this has just opened up the door for where we’re going to be in the future.”

Hardy, also the athletic director at Coppin Academy, said the Eagles accomplished more than just one goal by getting to the state tournament so quickly.

“I think we got our name out there and that was my goal as a coach and athletic director,” said Hardy, whose team played an independent schedule around the area the past few years. “I think our program has taken another leap and that’s the plan basically, to take our program each year to another level.”