Klenda scores 22 points in junior varsity victory
Staff writer
The Centre High School boys’ varsity basketball team put on a stunning performance Friday before parents and fans in the final home game of the season. They defeated 2A Chase County, 54-38.
Senior James Weber put forth his best effort , scoring a game-high 21 points, pulling in 18 rebounds, stealing the ball three times, and blocking it twice.
The Cougars took an early 6-0 lead but fell behind and trailed, 19-13, at halftime.
The second half was a different story as the boys came out like a house afire. They put a press on the Bulldogs, which seemed to throw them off their game. Their scoring also improved and they got numerous rebounds.
After field goals by Weber and Trevor Troutt, and three-point shots by Ben Krause and Brian Burhoop, the team tied the game at 25-all, with two-and-a-half minutes remaining in the third quarter. Centre led, 31-25, at the end of the quarter.
The Cougars continued to press and built their lead in the fourth quarter. As the game wound down, Konley Harding contributed three free throws and Canh Antoszyk also scored a free throw, allowing the team to walk away with an astounding 16-point win.
Asked afterward about the turnaround in the second half, Coach Greg Wyatt said, “I wish I knew what I did. I’d bottle it and use it again in the next game.”
“You took it to them, and we won,” he told his players.
The team shot almost 50 percent from the floor and were 3-of-12 from the three-point line, and 19-of-34 from the free-throw line. Team members also compiled 33 rebounds.
Along with Weber, Troutt scored in double figures, with 13 points.
The Cougars were scheduled to play Melvern-MCDV at Waverly Tuesday in the first round of regional tournament play. They entered the tournament with a record of 8-12. Coach Wyatt was hoping Friday’s win would pump them up for another good showing.
Individual results
Centre 54, Chase County 38
Two-point field goals: Alex Hajek 0-2, Canh Antoszyk 0-2, Nathan Barney 0-1, Brian Burhoop 1-1, James Weber 5-10, Tanner Brunner 1-3, Trevor Troutt 6-9.
Three-point field goals: Kacey Hanschu 0-1, Burhoop, 1-4, Krause 2-6, Harding 0-1.
Free throws: Antoszyk 1-2, Burhoop 3-6, Weber 11-17, Harding 3-4, Brunner 0-2, Troutt 3-13.
Total points: Antoszyk 1, Burhoop 8, Krause 6, Weber 21, Harding 3, Brunner 2, Troutt 13.
Assists: Burhoop 1, Krause 2, Weber 2, Harding 2, Brunner 1.
Rebounds: Hajek 1, Antoszyk 1, Barney 1, Burhoop 3, Weber 18, Harding 3, Brunner 2, Troutt 4.
Steals: Hanschu 1, Burhoop 3, Weber 3, Harding 1, Brunner 3.
Blocks: Weber 2.
Turnovers: Hanschu 1, Barney 1, Burhoop 1, Krause 2, Weber 1, Harding 2, Brunner 2, Troutt 3.
The junior varsity defeated Chase County in a close match-up, 49-45.
Tyler Klenda delivered a stunning performance, including four three-point shots and 10-of-12 free throws, for a total of 22 points.
Centre vs. Wakefield
The Cougars were defeated by Wakefield, 63-58, in a game played Feb. 17 at home. Troutt scored 16 points and had 15 rebounds. Weber scored 14 points and had 12 rebounds.
Wakefield 63, Centre 52
Two-point goals: Hajek 1-4, Hanschu 1-3, Kerbs 2-3, Burhoop 2-4, Krause 0-2, Weber 6-12, Harding 2-6, Brunner 1-3, Troutt 5-16.
Three-point goals: Kerbs 0-1, Antoszyk 0-1, Burhoop 0-4, Krause 1-9, Harding 0-4, Brunner 0-1.
Free throws: Hanschu 0-2, Weber 2-3, Brunner 1-2, Troutt 6-8.
Total Points: Hajek 2, Hanschu 2, Kerbs 4, Burhoop 4, Krause 3, Weber 14, Harding 4, Brunner 3, Troutt, 16.
Assists: Hajek 2, Kerbs 1, Barney 2, Krause 1, Harding 4, Brunner 1.
Rebounds: Hajek 3, Hanschu 2, Barney 1, Burhoop 3, Krause 3, Weber 12, Harding 6, Brunner 7, Troutt 15.
Steals: Hanschu 2, Kerbs 1, Bruhoop 1, Krause 2, Weber 1, Troutt 3.
Blocks: Weber 2.
Offensive charge: Hanschu 1, Kerbs 1.
Turnovers: Hajek 2, Hanschu 2, Kerbs 1, Antoszyk 2, Burhoop 4, Weber 1, Harding 1, Brunner 3, Troutt 1.
The junior varsity defeated Wakefield, 64-38. Klenda led scoring with 18 points.