Monday’s district matchup for the Paris boys was made even harder.

Paris vs Sturgeon Districts Photo Gallery

The No. 4 seed Coyotes continued to fight No. 5 Sturgeon until the game was tied at 38 with about four minutes left in the game, but turnovers early put them in a hole and turnovers late proved to be the difference in a 45-40 season-ending loss in the Class 2 District 5 tournament in Sturgeon.

Head coach Jeremy Skinner said the slow start didn’t help matters as Paris trailed 28-18 at halftime after allowing 10 steals to Sturgeon. Alex Ducayne had six of his seven steals stuck to his hands in the first half in a game he led the Bulldogs with 21 points.

“We were a little sloppy with the ball early on and didn’t help each other out quite well enough,” Skinner said. “About half of his scoring was on silly turnovers up top. I don’t know if we aren’t used to that length up top, but we passed it to him quite a few times in the first half. He drives hard with his right hand, and we still let him drive with his right hand.”

Isaac Bolles also proved a problem for Paris as he finished with 16 points and two 3-pointers. One of his 3-pointers pushed it to 38-28 in the third quarter before the Coyotes quickly forced their way back into contention.

Seniors Mason Edwards and Evan Smothers had already posted good seasons for Paris, leading the Coyotes to a 13-13 record going into Monday — 11 wins better than last season — and then hitting key shots in the fourth quarter. Edwards knocked down a 3-pointer as part of his 10 points and two 3-pointers to lead the team, and Smothers scored on a steal in his performance of nine points, six rebounds and three steals.

“I told the seniors that while it’s a loss, but they need to be proud of what they’ve accomplished,” Skinner said. “I don’t think anybody saw us coming out here — after two wins last year — being 500.”

The influence of the seniors has rubbed off on the freshman, including Skinner’s son, Brad Skinner. Brad Skinner knocked down the 3-pointer that capped the 10-run necessary to tie the game at 38.

“He’s started to get a little more confidence. Earlier in the year, he wouldn’t take those 3-point shots because he was scared he would miss it on the varsity level,” Skinner said. “We talk about making sure we take good shots all the time, but him and a couple of other kids are good enough shooters, when they’re open they need to go ahead and pull that trigger.’

Sturgeon managed to take a 40-38 lead that it clung to until the final seconds as Paris made a few turnovers and Skinner was called for a charge — which was the first such call in the game. Jeremy Skinner said he questioned that call, but the simple fact is Paris was doing well when it limited the turnovers and went into a cold spell when they increased again.

Ducayne and Bolles were able to hit the 3-pointer to prevent another tie and come away with the victory.

“That was a killer,” Skinner said. “We attacked good (during the 10-0 run). We spent a lot of the game passing around the outside and not taking our opportunities to attack the zone. If you’re not going to shoot it and you’re not going to penetrate, and they’re going to clog the lane, you don’t have very many choices. You’re just going to pass it around until you turn it over.”

Paris ends its season with a 13-14 overall record and a 4-4 Lewis and Clark Conference record.

“We had some good wins, we got two consolation trophies out of three tournaments, and I told them to make sure they’re proud of what they’ve accomplished,” Skinner said. “They can hurt because it’s over but make sure they’re still proud and realize they’ve come a long way.”