January 25, 2017 - On Tuesday, the Center Roughriders Varsity Basketball team held off a late Carthage Bulldogs comeback to take away a 54-43 win at home. Center improved their District 16 4A record to 3-0, and their overall standing to 24-4. The Bulldogs fell to 2-1 in conference competition and 7-2 for the season.
Center struggled early on and trailed 4-7 with 2:44 left in the opening period. Senior Kyle Parks hit a 3-pointer with less than two minutes left in the opening frame to tie the game a 7-7. Kaleb Parks slammed down a dunk to give CHS their first lead at 9-7 just moments later. The ‘Riders grew their lead to 13-9 by the end of the first quarter.
The ‘Riders out-scored the Bulldogs 15-14 in the second quarter and had a 28-23 advantage at halftime.
Center had a 12-point advantage and led 46-34 with only four minutes remaining in the final period. The Bulldogs cut Center’s lead to 48-39 with 2:12 left, and to just five points, at 48-43 with just 1:36 left to play. Jaterious Evans hit a clutch free throw for the ‘Riders with 40 seconds remaining, and Kyle Parks converted a 3-point ‘And-1’ play to help the ‘Riders pull away to the 11-point final margin.
Kyle Parks led the Roughriders by scoring 17 points, Jaterious Evans added 15, Kaleb Parks 14, Jamarh Johnson 7, and Ja’dus Johnson scored 1 point.
Center will next travel to Rusk High School for another conference showdown with the Eagles (0-3, 11-8) on Friday January 27, at 7:30 p.m.
