Cougars finish 0-3 at tourney
Staff writer
It was a bad week for the Centre High School 1A boys basketball team. The Cougars are still looking for their first victory after losing three games last week in the Herington preseason tournament.
“We’re struggling right now and trying to find ourselves,” coach Greg Wyatt said.
Their best game of the week may have been Thursday against 2A Northern Heights. They were defeated, 64-56.
Four Cougars scored in double digits: Brian Burhoop, 15; Tyler Klenda, 12; and Rustyn Kerbs and Tanner Brunner, 11 each.
The team completed 12-of-33 shots from 2-point range, 9-of-28 from 3-point range, and 5-of-9 free-throw attempts.
Burhoop led at the boards with 12 rebounds, followed by Brunner with 11. Kerbs and Adam Matz each provided 3 assists.
Herington
The Cougars had no chance against 2A Herington. With a 6-foot-7 player at center, the Railers were able to block shots and score over the heads of their opponents. That and their quickness gave them an easy victory.
The Cougars were defeated, 70-39, after trailing 40-20 at halftime.
They made 11-of-48 2-point shots, 4-of-17 3-point shots, and 5-of-14 free throws.
Burhoop scored 16 points, Brunner had 11 rebounds, and Matz had 4 assists.
Wakefield
After losing both games in pool play, Centre played 1A Wakefield Saturday in a consolation game.
Wyatt expected his team to win but the Cougars were defeated, 55-44. He said they might have been exhausted after playing an aggressive Herington team.
“They were tired, their shots fell short, and there was no rebounding,” he said.
The team completed 8-of-42 2-point shots, 5-of-28 3-point shots, and 13-of-20 free throws.
The leading scorers for Centre were Brunner, 13, and Klenda, 11. Burhoop had 11 rebounds.
Herington defeated Southeast of Saline in the championship game.