February 15, 2022 (Photos) - The Center Roughriders Varsity Basketball team defeated the Jasper Bulldogs at home for the 4A Region 3 District 17 Championship 58-49 on Tuesday, February 15, 2022.
The Riders were the first to score a minute into the game with #5 Makel Johnson making two free throw shots after a foul was called against Jasper. The next score came from #1 MarMar Evans throwing to #5 Johnson under the basket and Johnson got it in for another 2 points. Scoring was slow for both teams in the 1st period ending with the Riders up by 1 point, 6-5.
Second period action picked up with the Riders scoring 12 points to Jasper’s 8 points for the period with a minute left till the half and Center leading 18 to 13. Roughrider #15 Dean Lester recovered the ball after a failed attempt by the Bulldogs to score and tossed the ball to #13 Carson Bush who charged down the court scoring 2 points bringing the Riders to 20. The 2nd period ended with the Riders 22 and Jasper 18.
After the half, Center’s #12 BoBo Gipson was the first to score after a rebound by #22 Kedrin Hinson from Jasper who passed the ball and #1 Evans drove in to score, missing, with Gipson recovering and putting the ball back in the basket. Scoring action continued in the 3rd period with the Riders outscoring the Bulldogs 21 points to 8 points. The period ended with Makel Johnson recovering the ball and tossing in for 2 points as the buzzer sounded.
The 4th period began with Center 43 to Jasper 26. Jasper rallied in the final period outscoring Center for the first time in the game by 23 to 15; however, it wasn’t enough to close the spread and Center won the District Championship game for 1st place!
After the game, senior players and athletic trainers were recognized. The team is coached by Head Coach Hiram Harrison and assistant coaches Alex Munoz, Tony Turner, and Michael Cloudy.
The team has a 21-9 record overall for the season and 8-2 record for the district.
