The Centerburg boys' basketball team (1-1, 1-0) bounced back from an opening night loss with a victory over Utica (0-2, 0-1) in non-conference action.
The Redskins traveled to Centerburg on Dec. 6, to fall 43-36 on the Utica boys' basketball team's opening night.
Both teams scored 11 points in the opening frame, with Roman Gamble of Utica and Centerburg’s Grayson Reynolds dueling it out for six points apiece. Logan Gosnell hit a three to start the scoring, putting Utica up 3-0. It was back-and-forth the rest of the quarter, and Reynolds drilled a three to tie the game at 11-11. Opening night was looking like an even matchup through and through.
It was a defensive battled in the second quarter, with Centerburg taking a 16-14 lead at the half. Blane Ball hit a three for the Trojans to give them a 14-13 lead, and Gamble had all three points for Utica.
Centerburg got eight points out of Ryder Scott in the third quarter where they went off for 20 points, while Utica was held to 11 points. Trevin Harris showed his hustle on defense diving for a loose ball for a steal with Centerburg up 18-14. Centerburg was ahead 20-14 and Reynolds also got in on the big defensive plays, blocking a Utica layup with authority to keep a six point lead. Moments later he came up with a steal and took it coast to coast for a fast break layup to go up 22-14. With the score 24-16, Grayson continued to protect the rim with another big block under the basket. Centerburg had a 30-18 lead and Utica was threatening to score near the hoop. Harris blocked a shot sending the ball into Trojan possession. Isaiah Sule also had a steal in the quarter, as the defense was on full display for Centerburg.
In the fourth quarter Utica outscored Centerburg 11-7, but the deficit was too great to mount the comeback. Utica came within two points on a Gamble three from the top of the arc, making it 38-36. At 40-36, Hunter McKinney McKinney had a big steal near the hoop, but there was a loose ball that Centerburg was able to snag, thwarting the comeback threat. Scott also had a steal at the end of the game for Centerburg.
Centerburg had two players in double figures, with Scott scoring 12 points and Reynolds putting up 11 points in the win. Jack Lawrence scored eight points, Harris scored five points, Isaiah Sule had four points and Ball had three.
Reynolds also had three blocks in the game, and Harris blocked a pair of shots.
Gamble led all scorers with 18 points on the night. Gavin Chinn eight points, Dylan Yates had five points, Logan Gosnell had three points and McKinney scored two points for the Redskins. Gamble had three steals and Chinn blocked two shots and had two steals. McKinney had two blocks and a pair of steal, as well.
“Our guys gave great effort all night and didn’t quit following us to make a run, ultimately coming up just short,” said Coach Brian Radabaugh. “Roman did a good job all night of running the offense and getting to the rim.”
Centerburg shot 40% and 22% from deep, while Utica shot 32% and only 12% from three. Each team had 29 boards and six steals, and Centerburg led 10-4 in assists and 5-4 in blocks.
On Dec. 9 Utica took on Zanesville (1-0, 1-0) in a conference matchup, and it was a lopsided affair with the Blue Devils walking away with an 81-40 win. Gosnell was the only player in double digits for Utica with 10 points. Zanesville had two players with more than 20 points, with Drew Doyle scoring 23 and Mikey Johnson putting up 21 points in the win for the Blue Devils.
Coach Radabaugh gave credit where it was due after the game.
“Zanesville played a great second half and shot the lights out.
