For the second time this season, the Parkland High School boys basketball team has gotten the better of Allen, the defending District 11 Class 6A champions. The Canaries took down the Trojans in that district title game last year and the bad taste still lingers around the Parkland program.

“We are still upset about that one,” said Trojan sophomore guard Nick Coval. “We really wanted that one and thought we had it. We had a lead late and they came back. It was a great game, but one we think we let get away. We don’t want that happening again this year.”

If their games against Allen during this season are any indication, the Trojans are doing their best to not let that happen again.

After beating the Canaries in the first meeting of the regular season in December, Parkland did more of the same about a month later, coming out victorious behind the play of Coval and Matt Bauer, who combined for 37 points, as Parkland pulled out a 57-55 Eastern Pennsylvania Conference West Division win over Allen last Thursday night at Parkland High School.

Will Meeker also finished in double figures, adding 11 points to support Coval (19 points) and Bauer (18 points).

“We just take what the defense gives us, to be honest,” Coval said. “If we’re in transition, we’re going to run. If we’re in the half court, we’re going to slow it down and get the right shot.”

The Trojans, who improved to 13-5 overall and 11-2 in the EPC, started this week in a tie for first place in the division with Central Catholic (15-3, 11-2), another reigning district champion that Parkland recently beat. They are both second in the conference behind Pocono Mountain West (13-4, 12-1).

Parkland held a lead from the get-go against Allen, going ahead 14-13 after the opening quarter and then 33-25 at halftime. Heading into the final frame, the Trojans found themselves leading 43-36, but the Canaries (13-6, 8-5) made a comeback, one which they came within one shot of tying the game before the buzzer sounded.

“It came down to defense for us, especially late,” said Coval. “We pride ourselves on our defense and how good defense leads to offense on the other end. This win feels especially good because of how we played defensively.”

Parkland finishes their regular season with four games in the next week. The Trojans took on Northampton Tuesday, followed by games with Emmaus on Friday, Pocono Mountain West on Sunday and then Whitehall on Monday to finish out the regular season schedule before league playoffs begin late next week.