The Centurburg Trojans (2-1, 1-0) won their first conference matchup of the season with a 46-25 win over the Northmor Golden Knights on Dec. 6, with Kayla Larimore stuffing the stat sheet in the victory.
The game was tight at the start, with both teams scoring 10 points in the opening quarter. The Golden Knights showed off some solid defense, with Ryann Brinkman grabbing a tipped pass for a steal with 7:22 left in the second quarter. Centerburg got on the board in the second quarter with a three and were threatening to score again when Brinkman came up with another steal with 3:40 left in the half. This led to a basket and it was a 13-12 lead for Centerburg. Centerburg’s next possession ended with a steal by Shelby Cooper, as well. However, the Trojans would dominate the rest of the quarter, going on an 11-2 run and taking a 24-14 lead into halftime.
At the beginning of the third quarter, Alexis See of the Golden Knights tipped a pass up in the air and caught it for a steal. After a Centerburg basket it was 26-14, but Madison Simpson of Northmor drained a three from the top of the arc to make it a nine point game with 6:45 left in the third. With five minutes to go in the third the Trojans led 28-19 Simpson got in on the defense with a block on a driving play by Kenlee Fairall. Shelby Cooper got her hand in for a steal and a went on a fast break score to make it a 30-21 Centerburg with 3:25 left in the third quarter.
Centerburg outscored the Golden Knights 13-7 in the third quarter and went on to have a 9-4 fourth quarter to wrap up the win.
Northmor had a 36-24 rebounding advantage in the game, but Centerburg led in all other categories including 12-5 in assists, 22-6 in steals and 2-1 in blocks. The Trojans shot 39% and were held to 18% from downtown, but Centerburg’s defense stepped up holding Northmor to 30% and 9% from three.
Larimore put up 12 points, five boards, four assists and four steals in what was an all-around quality performance for the senior forward. Fairall also had 12 points and four steals for the Trojans. Tiara Sheppard also hit double figures with 11 points to go with five rebounds and three steals. Evie Stowe had four assists and five steals.
Cooper led the way with eight points and three steals for the Golden Knights. See had six points in the game and Brinkman had five points and two steals. Brinkman hit the only three for Northmor who were 1-for-12 from downtown.
Centerburg Coach Bill Abner praised the team’s defense in the game, but also said there are aspects they need to work on to keep in the winning column this season.
“I loved our balance tonight,” said Abner. “We're at our best when we have multiple kids contribute. We're still missing some opportunities on the offensive end and we have to be better at the foul line-3-for-11 isn't something we can live with long term. But I was especially pleased with our defensive effort. Any time you can cause over 30 turnovers you have a very good chance to have some success.”
