An impressive defensive effort by Centralia was spoiled by Shelton’s game-winning shot with three second left as the Tigers took a 56-54 loss to the Highclimbers on the road Friday in 2A Evergreen Conference play.
“We did a great job flying around the court,” Centralia coach Kyle Donahue said. “Our hustle and grit was great. We were outsized a bit but my guys dug in and caused havoc in the half court.”
Speedy junior guard Chase Sobolesky led the Tigers with a team-high 14 points and provided a ton of energy to the team, Donahue said.
Senior Cameron Erickson added 12 points while junior Jayden Pannette scored eight. Donahue also commended Rex Akins for providing a much-needed spark down the stretch.
“Really proud of them,” Donahue said. “They gave themselves a chance and did it on the defensive end.”
Centralia (1-2) hosts Mint-City rival W.F. West on Monday in a Swamp Cup battle.
Parker McAferty scored 14 points, but Black Hills was too much for Rochester, cruising to a 77-44 win over Rochester in a 2A Evergreen Conference boys basketball game in Rochester on Friday.
Black Hills jumped to a 28-7 first-quarter lead, a hole out of which the Warriors could never climb.
“With the lack of size we were out-matched in the paint,” Rochester coach Derrick Pringle. “They are a fundamentally sound team that execute their set in a well-run system.”
Rochester falls to 0-3 and travels to Aberdeen on Monday.
