Broncos best previously unbeaten Sutton

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A big week for the Centennial boys’ basketball team ended with a pair of wins for the Broncos.

Centennial hosted previously undefeated Sutton Jan. 4 and beat the Mustangs 53-45 behind 36 points from Jack Hirschfeld.

“I had a really good feeling going in,” Coach Cam Scholl said of the senior guard. “I knew he was ready to go Thursday. I expected it from Jack. He gets up for big games.”

Hirschfeld was 10-15 from two-point range and 13-16 from the free throw line. He also grabbed seven rebounds and three steals and spent the evening guarding a good perimeter player, Scholl said.

The game started slowly for the Broncos, who trailed 12-2 and 14-4 in the first quarter. Then Hirschfeld took over. He scored all 15 first-quarter points for Centennial, and that relaxed the rest of the team, Scholl said.

“We had guys make big shots at key times,” he said, citing Cooper Gierhan and Caleb Horne who both made shots to stop Sutton momentum. “They made big shots when it mattered.”

He was pleased with post Joel Bargen, who had to guard Sutton’s big men in the paint. Scholl was pleased with how well he played without getting into foul trouble. Wyatt Ehlers, the CHS point guard, also had a good game, delivering five assists while guarding Seth George, who’s listed at 6-5.

Scholl said the big-game atmosphere didn’t bother the Broncos, who have been there before.

“There’s no deer in headlights,” the coach said. “There’s not a lot these guys haven’t been through.”

Centennial had to come back the next day against Raymond Central on the road, but Scholl wasn’t worried.

“This is a mature group. They can handle the moment,” he said.

And handle it they did. CHS blitzed the Mustangs 32-9 in the first quarter and 26-7 in the second for a 58-16 halftime lead. With the running clock in the second half, the starters got to rest.

“I’ve never seen a half like that,” Scholl said.

Centennial had four players finish in double figures – Hirschfeld with 13, Jake Bargen with 12, Gierhan with 13 and Horne with 16. CHS was 7-17 from three-point range.

Ehlers had a big first half, distributing 11 assists in the two quarters.

Scholl said the Broncos were able to penetrate Raymond Central’s zone and get easy looks at the basket early.

Centennial (10-1) has a full week, with a trip to Shelby-Rising City Jan. 8 and one to Columbus Lakeview Friday, Jan. 11. The Broncos will host Central City Saturday, Jan. 12, with tip-off around 4:30 p.m.