It’s tough to play a team twice in one season, even harder to play them twice in a week.
That happened for Centennial when the Broncos hosted Fillmore Central in the opening round of the Southern Nebraska Conference tournament Jan. 31.
The two teams met Jan. 24, a game Centennial won pretty easily. This time, the Panthers started out hot, leading 20-13 at the end of the first quarter.
“We had to reassure the girls that they won’t score 80,” Coach Jake Polk said.
Centennial continued to play tough defense and find the FCHS shooters as the game progressed, and Centennial got the win 45-42.
Cora Payne notched a double double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Ella Wambold knocked down her only field goal of the night at the buzzer for the win.
“We didn’t panic. We had to stay true to ourselves and trust the process,” Polk said.
The win put the Broncos in the semifinals for another rematch, this one against Milford, who defeated CHS in December.
“Before the game, I could tell the girls were pumped up,” Polk said. “We told them the best way to loosen up was to attack the rim.”
Instead, the Broncos made four three pointers in the first quarter and led 13-6 at the end of the first eight minutes.
The Broncos went cold in the second quarter, however, and didn’t score. Milford put up 11 for a 17-13 halftime lead.
The score was 24-22 in Centennial’s favor after the third quarter, but CHS went cold again in the fourth and finished on the short end of a 31-26 score.
Horne scored 14 points in the game, including 12 in the second half. She was one of three in the scoring column for Centennial.
“It’s tough to win if only three score,” Polk said.
The loss dropped the Broncos into the third-place game and another rematch within a week, this one against Thayer Central. This time the Titans pulled out a 39-31 win.
“We had the lead most of the game,” Polk said.
Thayer Central outscored Centennial 13-5 in the fourth quarter.
“It was frustrating. We couldn’t seem to break away,” Polk said. “It was a good learning experience. We need to come together and make sure we’re on the same page.”
Wambold led the team with eight points. Payne finished with five points and eight rebounds.
Centennial’s only game of the week is Thursday, Feb. 9, at home against St. Paul. Tip off is set for 7 p.m. Subdistricts start Monday, Feb. 13. Brackets were not available at press time.
