Center Roughriders Gymnasium on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 –
Tuesday saw the Center High School basketball program host Chapel Hill in District 17 4A-2 competition. The Center Lady Roughriders program gained a 50-41 point win over the CHHS Lady Bulldogs and the Roughriders boys team fell to the Bulldogs by a narrow 72-70 score.
The Lady Roughriders led 4-4 midway through the first period and they carried a 13-6 lead into the second quarter. Center led 20-12 midway through the second stanza and 22-19 at the halftime intermission. By the end of the third frame CHS led 43-25 on their way to the 50-41 win.
The Lady ‘Riders are 19-7 overall and they are atop the District 17 leaderboard with a 7-1 mark. There are two conference games remaining in girls district play.
Center’s May Johnson had a game high 19 points, teammate Journee Smith had 12 points.
The varsity boys game was fast-paced throughout. Center trailed 5-9 points midway through the first period but they built a 13-6 lead by the end of the first quarter. At halftime Center held the biggest lead of the contest to that point at 39-26. Center led 60-42 at the end of the third quarter and they seemed to be taking control of the contest but Chapel Hill went on a 14-0 point scoring run to begin the final frame, which tightened the Center lead to just 60-56 midway through the final period. With 1:30 left the Bulldogs gained the lead at 67-66. The game was tied 69-69 with just 30 seconds remaining and Demetrious Brisbon Jr. hit a 3-pointer which proved to be the difference with less than 10 seconds remaining as the Bulldogs held on for the 72-70 win.
Center is 14-9 overall this season and they are in second place at 5-2 in District 17 with 5 conference games remaining. Chapel Hill has the best record in the district at 7-0.
Cash Cross led the ‘Riders with 22 points. Teammates, Tim Johnson scored 16, Jakevin Robinson 13 and Carson Bush chipped in ten points. The Bulldogs were led by Jayvin Mayfield with 11.
The Roughriders girls and boys will head to Spring Hill on Friday, January 26, 2024 where JV action will tip off at 4:30 p.m. and varsity action will follow at Panthers Gymnasium.
