Staff writer
The Centre High School Cougars defeated Wakefield, 54-34, Jan. 28 at Wakefield, improving their record to 7-7.
However, they suffered a setback Friday when the Goessel Bluebirds defeated them, 42-41.
The teams appeared to be evenly matched as each battled for supremacy throughout the game.
Centre led 10-8 after one quarter, and the game was tied, 17-17, at halftime.
Toward the end of the third quarter, Rustyn Kerbs and Tyler Klenda sank consecutive 3-pointers and Trevor Hageberg made a layup. The quarter ended with Centre in the lead, 29-25.
It was Goessel’s turn to shine in the fourth quarter as the Bluebirds exploded for a total of 17 points. However, Centre led 36-34, late in the game. Then Goessel’s Braden Unruh sank a 3-pointer, his second in the quarter, to give the Bluebirds the lead.
Two free throws by Brian Burhoop returned the lead to Centre, but Goessel scored 4 more points as time was running out.
Burhoop sank a long 3-pointer just as the final horn sounded to close the gap to one, 42-41. Nevertheless, it was a loss, and the Cougars went home disappointed.
Tanner Brunner netted 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 steals. Burhoop had 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Other scorers were Kerbs 8, Klenda 6, Hageberg 4, and Adam Matz 2.
Junior varsity
The Centre junior varsity team defeated Goessel, 48-42. Two players scored in double figures: Justin Deines, 16, and Kyle Methvin, 13. Other scorers were Grant Srajer 6, Ty Simons 5, James Wyatt 4, and Kodey Johnson and Jerami Slayden 2 each.