Staff writer
It wasn’t for lack of effort, but Centre’s teams lost their final home games of the season Friday — 46-37 for the girls and 79-44 for the boys.
Girls
The girls trailed 13-9 at the end of the first quarter but closed the gap to one by halftime on scoring by Carlye Deines and Lexis Brewer.
The Chase County Bulldogs gradually increased their lead in the third quarter and led by eight points at the end of the quarter.
Deines opened the fourth quarter with a three-pointer to put Centre within five, but Chase County answered with a field goal and three-pointer to open up a 10-point spread.
Olivia Carlson added five points including a field goal at the buzzer, reducing Centre’s loss to nine points.
Scoring in double digits were Deines, 13, and Carlson, 10.
The Cougars ended the season with a record of 2-16.
“It’s been a learning process for them and me,” first-year coach Sherri Pankratz said. “The team shows definite improvement from the beginning of the season.”
She noted that two starters were freshmen. Three senior starters will be graduating, but a deep sophomore class will augment the team next year.
“With more experience, we will get better every year,” Pankratz said.
Centre will play a sub-state game Friday at Tescott.
Boys
Centre’s boys fought valiantly against the Bulldogs, but they were playing several tall players who were quick and athletic and dominated the boards on offense and defense.
Centre trailed 16-0 before Mikey Silhan made a field goal. Luke Hudson and Kyle Peterson added three free throws, but Chase County led, 24-5, after one quarter.
Silhan added seven points, and Gentri Holub added four in the second quarter, but Centre trailed by 15 points at halftime.
Hudson added eight points and Quinten Bina added two in the third quarter, while the Bulldogs added 30 points.
Tanner Stuchlik got in on the action in the fourth quarter with a basket and a free throw. Silhan had two consecutive steals for layups and added a three-pointer after Chase County added three on a field goal and free throw. Hudson made a three–pointer after Silhan’s three, making the score, 74-40.
Holub added two on an assist by Hudson, and Silhan made a field goal. But the Bulldogs put the icing on their cake with a three-pointer, giving Centre a 35-point loss.
The Cougars shot 50% overall. Silhan had 18 points, two assists, and five steals. Hudson also scored in double digits, with 12 points, four assists, and six steals. Peterson had the most rebounds, managing four.
Centre ended the regular season with a record of 8-10. Centre has a bye next week in the first round of sub-state. The Cougars will play Thursday against Rural Vista or Otis Bison at Claflin.