Staff writer
The Centre Cougars easily defeated the St. Xavier Rams of Junction City 87-45 on Tuesday.
After a 53-47 victory Feb. 11 over Elyria at home, the Centre boys fell to the Wakefield Bombers Friday on the road, 55-39. It was their second loss to Wakefield after defeating the Bombers Jan. 21 in the Cougar Classic.
The Cougars had trouble getting the ball inside, and their threes would not fall. Grant Srajer, Ty Simons, and Kyle Methvin scored in the first quarter, but Centre trailed 13-7.
Their scoring improved slightly in the second quarter as Nathaniel Engler and Simons made baskets. Centre trailed by six, 21-15, at halftime.
Wakefield opened the third quarter with 10 unanswered points including two three-point shots. Two consecutive three-pointers by Jared Barney and Srajer plus a free throw by Srajer closed the gap to eight points at the end of the quarter.
The Bombers dominated the fourth quarter, holding Centre to 11 points while they added 19. It was a 16-point loss for Centre.
Scoring
Simons, 15; Srajer, 6; Conner Montgomery, 4; Engler, 4; Methvin, 2; Terren Thompson, 2; Kevin Lewis, 2; Chad Mueller, 1.
Elyria
After many missed layups on both sides, Elyria led at the end of the first quarter 12-9.
Centre continued to trail until four minutes remained in the half, when Mueller made a basket to tie the game at 14. Simons and Conner Montgomery each made two baskets after that, and Centre led 22-18 at halftime.
The two teams continued to battle in the third quarter. Elyria regained the lead before Methvin, Simons, and Mueller scored to regain a two-point advantage.
Centre got a seven-point lead two times in the final quarter. After two free throws by Srajer, the Cougars claimed a six-point victory.
Simons scored 23 points; Mueller, 12; and Montgomery, 11.