Center Roughriders Gymnasium on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 –
The Center Roughriders girls and boys varsity basketball teams each won District 17 4A conference games over Spring Hill High School on Tuesday.
The Lady Roughriders trailed the Lady Panthers 3-4 points midway through the first period but they gained a 7-5 lead by the end of the first quarter. Defensive pressure by Center helped get seven turnovers which helped CHS take a 20-12 advantage by halftime.
The third quarter saw Center go on a 13-0 point scoring run and they ballooned the lead to 38-18 going into the final period. The Lady ‘Riders outpaced the Lady Panthers 11-8 points in the fourth quarter and came away with a 49-26 district win. Center now has a 13-6 season record and a 2-1 conference mark. They were led by seniors Lanijha Johnson with 15 points, and Gabby Whisenant with 11.
Spring Hill was led by sophomore Elizabeth Corbitt with 10 points. The Lady Panthers stand at 11-12 this season and 1-2 in district play.
Center’s boy’s varsity game was lopsided throughout and the Roughriders gained a 7-0 lead over the Spring Hill Panthers in the first 1 ½ minute. The ‘Riders never trailed and they took a 20-3 lead by the end of the first period. Halftime saw Center leading 38-11 and they grew the lead to 69-21 points by the end of the third stanza.
Late slams by Cash Cross and Jimmarrion Smith made it apparent that SHHS was outgunned this night and at times they trailed by over 50 points. When the final buzzer sounded CHS had taken a convincing 86-47 District 17 win. Center is 10-8 overall for the season and 1-1 in conference competition. They were led by senior Cash Cross with 24 points, teammates: junior Jimmarrion Smith scored 16, junior Tim Johnson 11, and junior Carson Bush also had 11 points.
The Panthers are 9-10 overall and 1-1 in conference play. They were led by senior Peyton Bassett with 11 points.
Center boys and girls will each play at Gilmer’s Buckeyes Gymnasium next Friday, January 5, 2024. Varsity action will tipoff at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.
