Nick Coval knows something that other people in the Lehigh Valley might just be learning about. While everyone knows what a great player the two-time league MVP is, Saturday night showed that the team around him is also a force to be reckoned with.

Coval led the Trojans with a game-high 24 points in their District 11 title game win over Liberty, 57-43. But if not for the contributions of several of his teammates the game might not have had the same outcome.

“I probably wrote too much on the board before the game” said Parkland head coach Andy Stephens, “but that was one of the keys to just have faith in each other and play together as a team.

“Nick is going to be effective every game he plays, but when other guys can stop up and do that, and they did, we’re going to be tough to beat.”

Seniors Matt Ray (7 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steal) and Joey Gerbasio (11 points) hit some big baskets, with Gerbasio making three of Parkland’s 10 three-pointers in the game. Coval had three, while Robbie Ruisch (6 points, 2 assists) made two and Luke Spang and Ray had one each.

“I’m so proud of my team,” said Ray. “We hit big shots this whole district playoffs. When we’re hitting, we’re a hard team to beat.”

The biggest threes on the night were Ray’s and Ruisch’s.

After Coval got hot in the second quarter with 11 points in the period, the Trojans had the final shot with time winding down.

Ray missed a shot from long range, but Zaire Smaltz (6 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists) battled for the rebound and got the ball back to Ray. The senior point guard drained the shot with no time left on the clock to give the Trojans a 31-24 lead at halftime.

Ruisch did the same thing at the end of the third quarter, taking a pass from Smaltz and nailing the three-point shot for a 46-36 lead heading into the final eight minutes.

Five different Trojans scored in the third quarter, with Smaltz’s four points leading the way.

Liberty wasted no time trying to fight back in the fourth. Jake Pukszyn made a three-point play to cut it to 46-39 and Blake Hargrove made a couple foul shots after a Coval basket to keep the margin at seven points.

A Gerbasio three-pointer with 4:25 left in the game put Parkland in front 51-41. That was the last field goal either team made all game as the rest of the scoring came at the free throw line.

Parkland went 7-for-8 from the stripe down the stretch, while the Hurricanes were 2-for-6 in the final four minutes and 0-for-4 on their last three trips to the line. Ray made all four of his fourth-quarter free throws, while Coval made each of his three.

Liberty opened an 8-3 lead to start the game and led 14-10 after a quarter.

Coval’s 11 and a basket by Smaltz put Parkland ahead 28-21 before the Hurricanes’ Dwayne Chess Jr. made a three just 35 seconds before half to cut into the lead.

Coval’s second-quarter heroics put the Trojans in front, but staying there was a team effort.

“I’d go to war with them any day of the week,” Coval said of his teammates. “I love them to death. I would do anything for them.”

Chess Jr. led Liberty with 21 points. He also had two assists and three steals.

Hargrove had 14 points and six rebounds for the Hurricanes.

Both teams move on to the state playoffs. Parkland will host District 1’s 10th place team (West Chester Henderson) Saturday at 3 p.m. Liberty host District 1’s sixth-place team (Upper Darby) Saturday at 3 p.m.