Words: Giana Han
On Jan. 14, Centennial boys’ basketball not only improved their undefeated record to 10-0, but they also broke River Hill’s six game winning streak.
The game started out slow, and it was several minutes until senior Kevin Wilson sunk a three to put the first points on the board. The first quarter ended with Centennial up 11-8.
In the second quarter, the game seemed even slower than the first half for Centennial’s offense. Senior Isaiah White’s allyoop dunk was the brightest spot of the first half, and by the end of the half River Hill had caught up and then grabbed a one point lead.
“We came out slow in the first half,” said junior Tom Brown. “We weren’t shooting well.”
However, the game picked up in the second half as Centennial, led by Brown and senior Chad Strothers, went on several scoring runs. Additionally, Centennial managed to shut down River Hill’s leading scorer for the season, Charles Thomas IV, who had previously been averaging 22.6 points a game, according to The Baltimore Sun.
“We knew we had to get him in the post and cover him well there. Kevin did well fronting him, and we got him off the boards,” said Brown. The Eagles held Thomas to just nine points, a season low for him.
By the end of the third quarter, the Eagles had pulled ahead by five with a score of 32-27. They continued to control the game with strong defense and a steady offense. Since boys’ basketball does not have a shot clock, Centennial took its time passing the ball around the perimeter as they worked the zone, looking for openings.
The Eagles then capitalized on those openings, with five players sinking threes throughout the game, and multiple two point field goals made by different players.
Centennial maintained its lead until the end of the game and won 49-39 thanks to its strong defense and several key players. Brown dominated the boards with 10 defensive rebounds and 1 offensive one in addition to his 3 steals and 12 points. He was helped by teammate Strothers who had an astounding 17 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds and 4 steals, as well as White (10 points, 2 blocks) and Connor Clemens (5 points, 4 rebounds).
This win will carry the Eagles on to their next game at Hammond on Jan. 16.
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