After a three-game win streak was disrupted by snow, wind and cold, the Centennial Broncos were back on the court for three games last week.
CHS came up just short against Fillmore Central 46-45 Jan. 23, fell to Thayer Central 43-40 Jan. 26 and dropped a rescheduled game to Doniphan-Trumbull 63-43 Jan. 27.
Coach Cam Scholl said the Broncos played well the first three quarters against Fillmore Central, but then free throws stopped falling. Centennial was just 9-20 from the line for the game.
“We had good shooters take shots. They just missed,” Scholl said.
In addition, Scholl said, three or four timely and unforced turnovers contributed to the loss.
“Unforced turnovers are killers,” he said. “It’s unfortunate. But it shows we can play at the level we need to.”
Devin Slawnyk scored 16 to lead the offense. Alex Hirschfeld recorded eight rebounds and four assists.
Centennial had what Scholl described as “a terrible first half” against Thayer Central and trailed 30-19 at intermission.
“There was no sign we were not ready. We just played poorly,” he said.
In the second half, CHS clawed back into the game, holding the Titans to just 13 points in the third and fourth quarters. Centennial scored 21 but couldn’t dig completely out of the first-half hole.
“We cut it to one. We passed up a good look,” Scholl said. “It was a very disappointing night overall. The guys were disappointed. This is a tough pill to swallow.”
Slawnyk and Ryan Richters each scored nine to lead CHS.
Less than 24 hours later, the Broncos were back on the court against one of the best teams in the state in Doniphan-Trumbull.
“I thought we played well on the quick turnaround,” Scholl said. “I was pleased with the effort and concentration. We just came up short.”
He said an opponent like DT is good to see because CHS doesn’t see that kind of pressure and performance every night.
Three Broncos reached double figures against the Cardinals – Slawnyk and Hirschfeld each with 11 and Richters with 10. Bryson Hornbacher finished with nine rebounds.
Centennial (9-6) opened Southern Nebraska Conference tournament play Jan. 30 at home against Thayer Central, which beat Superior the night before. CHS topped the Titans 54-38. Hirschfeld scored 14, and Slawnyk and Hornbacher added 10 each.
The Broncos, seeded third, will play No. 2 seed Fillmore Central in the semifinals Thursday, Feb. 1, at 7 p.m.
The championship game is Saturday, Feb. 3, at 7:45 p.m. Semifinals and finals are at Centennial.
