Staff writer
In the first league game of the season, Centre Junior High School boys’ basketball team defeated Hope Thursday, 31-17, at home.
After a 9-2 first quarter, the Cougars piled it on in the second as Grant Srajer made a three-point shot, Justin Deines scored two baskets and a free throw, Dylan Svitak made two baskets, and Kendall Harding added one for a 14-3 advantage.
The first half ended with Centre leading, 23-9.
The Lions picked up their play in the second half, scoring 12 points to Centre’s eight, but the Cougars walked away with a 14-point win.
Deines was high-point man with 11 points. Harding scored seven points, including a three-pointer. Svitak contributed six points, and James Wyatt and Kyle Methvin added two points each.
The B-team defeated Hope, 36-17. Kodey Johnson and Methvin scored nine points each. Johnson and Dallen Thompson each scored a three-point basket. Other scorers were Houston Svoboda with five points and Srajer, Cory Brunzell, Karl Riffel, Chad Mueller, and Tanner Peterson with two points each.