Behind a pair of 20-point performances, the Jesuit Dallas basketball team began the year 1-0 with a 73-63 win over Coppell on Tuesday at Walsh Gym. The Rangers opened the contest with an 11-point run and shook off a late charge by the Cowboys to secure its 10th season-opening win over the last 12 years.
 
Senior Michael Grant led the way for the Rangers, shooting 10-of-18 from the floor and hit 3-of-8 shots from three-point range and securing a team-high eight rebounds. Senior Caleb Steger scored 23 points and was a key catalyst for the Rangers' fourth-quarter, game-clinching run, going 10-for-10 from the free-throw line to help the Rangers finish the bout with a 16-of-18 team clip from the charity stripe. 
 
Senior Kevin Butera added 11 points, seven rebounds and a team-leading three blocks while Grant led the team with seven assists and three steals. Junior William Alexander secured five assists, two steals and five points while senior Ethan Mahowald scored nine points, tacking on three rebounds. The Jesuit Dallas defense held Coppell to 40 percent shooting from the floor and forced 11 turnovers, scoring 18 points off of Cowboy turnovers.
 
Jesuit will return to Walsh Gym on Tuesday, November 19 to take on state-ranked No. 2 Allen. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. as the Rangers aim to hand the Eagles their first loss of the season. Allen opened the year with a 104-61 win over Keller on Nov. 9 and picked up a 77-56 win over Highland Park on Tuesday evening. The Eagles will continue competition this weekend with matchups against Dynamic Prep on Nov. 15 and St. Francis Episcopal on Nov. 16.