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 step 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 steals) 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 treys in the win, 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.

“Matt Ray hit the three to go into halftime, which was a huge momentum swing,” said Coval. “And Robbie Ruisch hit the dagger at the end of the third quarter that really gave us some confidence. They’ve both been great all year and Robbie is stepping into a new role and I’m so proud of him.”

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.

The Trojans moved the ball efficiently in the game, with 14 assists on 20 field goals while coming back from an early deficit.

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

Coval, who was limited to two points on seven shots in the first period, made all four of his attempts plus a free throw in the second. He scored his team’s first 11 points of the quarter.

Coval’s 11 points over the first seven minutes of the quarter and a basket by Smaltz in the final minute of the period put Parkland ahead 28-21 before the Hurricanes’ Dwayne Chess made a three just 35 seconds before halftime 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 led Liberty with 21 points. He also had two assists and three steals. Hargrove had 14 points and six rebounds for the Hurricanes.

The win marks Parkland’s second straight district title. While the team’s two senior starters were part of last year’s title, this one is extra special for both of them.

“This means the world,” said Ray. “I told the guys before the game I never wanted to win so bad in my life. This one is definitely sweeter. A ton.”

Gerbasio, who went from limited action last season to a starting spot this season, got to cut down the net at Easton Middle School Gymnasium for the second straight season after another title.

“I did it last year, but this one means a lot more to me,” he said.

Both teams move on to the state playoffs. Parkland (18-9) will host District 1’s 10th place team (West Chester Henderson) Saturday at 3 p.m. Liberty (16-10) hosts District 1’s sixth-place team (Upper Darby) Saturday at 3 p.m.