Centre Cougars lose heartbreaker to Hope
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
Centre boys' basketball team faced Hope at Hope Feb. 20 in the first round of the 1A regional and were defeated, 52-46.
Four seniors — Lance Diepenbrock, Kevin Mueller, Thieen Antoszyk, and Alfonse Klenda — played the last game of their high school career.
The Cougars took a 7-5 lead at 3:40 in the first quarter. They were down by one, 12-13, when Hope sank a two-pointer and stole the ball for a last-second shot and a five-point lead.
After a long two-point shot by Jirak to open the second quarter, Centre had trouble finding the basket. Hope scored numerous layups and stole the ball several times, gaining a 14-point lead, 32-18, near the end of the quarter.
Just when things were looking really desperate, Diepenbrock made a three-pointer and Jirak sunk another one as the horn sounded, bringing the Cougars within eight points at halftime.
The team came back strong in the third quarter as their defense held the Lions to six points compared to 12 by Centre.
By the end of the quarter, the Cougars had closed the gap to two points, 36-38.
Sophomore James Weber made a thrilling layup early in the fourth quarter to tie the game, 38-38. The lead was short-lived as Hope answered with a three-point shot.
But the Cougars kept it close and took the lead, 44-43, with three minutes remaining.
Several bad shots and turnovers by Centre in the last minute of the game, along with several quick fouls, allowed the Lions to go ahead and win by six points.
Hope completed 14 two-point goals and three three-point goals for 37 points from the field. Centre completed 16 two-point goals and two three-point goals for 38 points from the field.
Hope had the advantage at the free-throw line, completing 15-of-18 compared to 8-of-11 by Centre.
Jirak scored 13 points to lead the Cougars in scoring. Mueller and Weber scored 10 points each. Klenda made eight points, Diepenbrock three, and Zach Slayden two.
Jirak had seven rebounds, all at the offensive end. Antoszyk and Slayden provided three assists each.
The Cougars ended the season with a record of 8-13.
