Words: Zach Grable

On Tuesday, February 28, the Boys’ Varsity Basketball team played the Long Reach Lightning in the second round of the 3A Playoffs.

Long Reach had a 9-0 lead in the first 5 minutes of the game. They were out scoring, out rebounding, and out hustling the Eagles. Centennial made a few adjustments to the lineup and subbed in junior Hayden Ford, who brought energy and intensity to the team. Centennial slowly began to come back but it wasn’t enough to get ahead by the end of the first quarter, and the Eagles trailed 19-7.

Though the Eagles closed the gap they were unable to take the lead from the Lightning. Senior Elijah White and junior Sean Taylor both helped the Eagles on the scoreboard and the defense slowed down Long Reach. The score of the second quarter was 29-21, with Centennial behind.

Coach Chad Hollwedel and the players electrified the Centennial fans as the team took its first lead of the game in the third quarter. The Eagles offense was fast-paced and menacing. Long Reach answered, but it was no match for the Eagles intensity. With just 5 minutes left in the game, Centennial led by one.

With Centennial up by four with two minutes left, the Lightning began to foul. Centennial went to the free throw line and knocked down the easy points. Long Reach had a bucket, and stole the ball back the following play. However, the Lightning lost the ball and any chance of tying the game. The Eagles won 61-57.

The Eagles play Wilde Lake on Thursday, March 2, for the third round of the 3A playoffs.

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