Comeback too little, too late for Centre
Staff writer
Centre’s shooting in the first half of its game with Rural Vista Friday at White City was as cold as the snow that began falling outside and the ice that formed in its wake. The Cougars lost, 66-37.
They dug a hole so deep that a 24-22 scoring advantage in the second half couldn’t get them out.
Rural Vista led 16-3 after one quarter, Centre’s only points coming from a Kyle Methvin basket and a Ty Simons free throw.
Rural Vista outscored Centre by 18 points in the second quarter to take a 44-13 lead. Dakota Stimpson, Methvin, Chad Mueller, Jared Barney, and Conner Montgomery contributed points.
Coach Greg Wyatt said the team went to a full-court press and a one-on-one defense in the second half.
“We had no chance without that, but we were so far down we couldn’t get back,” he said.
Centre outscored Rural Vista 17-12 in the third quarter. Simons made three baskets and four free throws, and Montgomery and Methvin each sunk a trey.
Nathaniel Engler made a basket in the fourth quarter along with free throws by Montgomery and Simons, but Rural Vista gained three points on the Cougars, who finished with a 29-point loss.
Simons finished with 14 points, including 8 of 10 free throws. He had 9 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals.