Center Roughriders’ Gymnasium. December 19, 2017 –
The Center Roughriders Varsity Basketball team defeated last year’s state champion Silsbee High School by a narrow 76-74 score. Center is currently ranked #5 and Silsbee #1 in the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Poll for December 18, 2017. This will likely change after Center’s win.
The Roughriders held a narrow 18-13 lead at the end of the first quarter led by Kaleb Parks and Jaterious Evans who each had six points during the opening frame. The second period saw the Silsbee Tigers claw their way back into the contest and tie the score at 35-35 by the halftime intermission.
Three scores by Jaterious Evans in the third period saw the Roughriders edge out a 49-43 lead by midway through the quarter. By the end of the third quarter, Center’s lead was cut to just three points and the Roughriders led 56-53 going into the final period.
Silsbee tied the game at the beginning of the fourth frame when Braelon Bush hit a 3-pointer early to tie the game at 56-56. Silsbee would gain a five point lead but Center’s Kaleb Parks hit a half-hook shot which tied the game at 66-66 with 4:25 remaining. Parks later scored on a fast-break assist from Evans and gave Center a 74-72 lead with 1:30 left in the contest. Silsbee later tied the game at 74-74 and got the basketball back after an offensive foul was called on the ‘Riders.
Jaterious Evans later sank two free-throws with 15 seconds left and gave CHS a 76-74 lead after Center stole the ball back with just nine seconds left in the contest. Evans soon after stole the ball back and Silsbee was not able to regain possession before time expired.
High scorers for Center were Kaleb Parks with 32 points, Jaterious Evans 24, Reggie Daniels 12, Kameron Elmer 10. Jakavian Calhoun and Jaydon Hicks each had three points apiece.
Silsbee’s record now stands at 9-6 for the pre-district season. Center has improved their season mark to 14-1. They are currently on a seven game winning streak.
The Varsity Roughriders are scheduled to host the Hudson Hornets on Thursday, December 21, 2017 at Center Roughriders Gymnasium at 1:30 p.m.
