Staff writer
The Centre Cougars got off to a 15-10 first-quarter start Friday at Chase County. Dakota Stimpson made a three-point shot, Conner Montgomery made two free throws, Kyle Methvin made a layup and free throw, and Ty Simons made two field goals and three free throws.
Chase County caught up and tied the game four minutes into the second quarter. After another tie at 24, Centre led 27-26 at halftime.
The Cougars maintained a slim lead for most of the third quarter. Grant Srajer made a three-pointer, and Jared Barney made a basket, joining Stimpson, Methvin, and Simons in scoring. The Bulldogs pulled ahead by four points, 45-41, near the end of the quarter.
The Cougars were plagued by turnovers in the fourth quarter. Despite several three-pointers by Barney, Montgomery, and Simons, Centre was outscored 24-19 for a 10-point loss, 70-60.
Simons scored 23 points and had 12 rebounds, one blocked shot, and three steals. Stimpson also scored in double figures, with 10 points. Methvin had nine rebounds.
Scoring:
Simons, 23; Stimpson, 10; Barney, 8; Montgomery, 7; Methvin, 6; Srajer, 3; Chad Mueller, 3.
St. Xavier
A lot of players got in on the action Feb. 18 in a home game against St. Xavier. The game was rescheduled from Dec. 6.
The Rams had just nine players on their entire roster. One player, Tony Reese, made 30 of St. Xavier’s 45 points. Centre scored 87 points for the victory.
The Cougars led 28-11 after one quarter. Chad Mueller put Centre on the board with a field goal. Srajer followed with six points on a field goal, free throw, and three-point shot.
Stimpson and Montgomery also scored. Simons contributed an early three-pointer and added the final six points with three layups.
Jared Barney was hot from outside the arc in the second quarter, making four of five three-point shots. Methvin added four points. Tanner Peterson, Nick Salamone, and Terren Thompson each made a basket. Centre led 51-24 at halftime.
The second half went much like the first. Centre outscored St. Xavier 36-21. Simons and Methvin combined for 23 points. Thompson and Salamone added four points each, and Peterson added two points.
Scoring in double figures were Simons, 23; Barney, 16; and Methvin, 13.
Methvin was the leading rebounder, with 10. Simons had eight rebounds and six steals. Srajer provided five assists and had four steals. Montgomery and Stimpson each had three assists.
The boys lost 62-43 Monday at Bennington, then defeated Peabody-Burns Tuesday on the road, 63-60.
The sub-state tournament begins Monday at Hartford. The bracket is scheduled to be released today.