The Centennial boys’ basketball team finds itself on a winning streak heading into the Christmas break.
The Broncos added three wins, including one over county rival Milford, to extend the streak to four.
The Broncos and Eagles met on the court in Milford Dec. 15, and Centennial took home a 46-29 win.
“We got off to a good start,” CHS Coach Cam Scholl said. “We were able to pound the ball inside and take advantage of our size. They had no answer for that.”
He said the Bronco offense was efficient (shooting 19-31 overall and 3-5 from three). Scholl also thought CHS rebounded well, holding a 20-17 edge in that category.
MHS Coach Mitchell Marvin said the Eagles knew they needed to shoot well from the perimeter to hang with the Broncos.
“They’re sound and protect the paint,” he said. “We got the shots we wanted. They just didn’t fall.”
He said the Eagles did a good job following the scouting report.
“Credit Centennial. They did what they do well,” he said.
CHS had three players reach double figures in scoring – Devin Slawnyk with 16, Camden Winkelman with 10 and Bryson Hornbacher with 10. Hornbacher added eight rebounds, and Alex Hirschfeld delivered seven assists.
For Milford, Reice Stutzman led the way with 12 points. Landon Roth added seven points and four rebounds.
Centennial started the week with a 41-18 win over Fairbury, building a 24-8 halftime advantage.
“We defended well and held their best scorer to single digits,” Scholl said.
Sam Ehlers scored 14 to lead the Broncos and was 4-8 from three.
In Centennial’s 51-25 win over Superior Dec. 16, the Broncos held the Wildcats to single digits in each quarter. Slawnyk finished with 18 points and eight rebounds, and Ehlers scored 12.
Scholl was pleased to see the defense hold SHS to 25 and said CHS rebounded well again.
Milford finished the week at Ashland-Greenwood and had a tough go in a 65-30 loss, Marvin said.
“They got us good,” he said.
Milford trailed by just 12 at halftime but was shut out in the fourth quarter.
Despite the loss, Marvin said the team is taking steps in the right direction.
“We’re using each other instead of relying on the one-on-one,” he said. “We need to do a better job of limiting shots at the rim.”
He said the Ashland-Greenwood offense is a hard one to stop, but he was pleased to see the Eagles start the game with fire.
Stutzman led the way with his second 12-point game of the week. Landon Roth added 12 points, as well.
The Broncos (5-2) are now off until the Malcolm holiday tournament Friday and Saturday, Dec. 29 and 30.
Milford (1-5) was to host North Bend Central Dec. 19 to close its pre-Christmas schedule.
