Fourth Quarter Surge Sends Centralia to District Championship Game
The Centralia Panthers used a big scoring run to break a 32-32 tie early in the fourth quarter as they defeated Hallsville 54-46 in a district semifinal game Thursday night. Hallsville senior Zach Jouret hit a three-pointer at the end of the third quarter to tie it. Travis Brooks and Noah Kropf started the ensuing run for the Panthers.
Colin Schowe with the call on KTCM 97.3 and centralmoinfo.com. Brooks capped the 10-1 run with another three-pointer and finished the game with 12 points. Kropf held the team lead with 15 points while Anthony Ford scored 13. Coach Scott Humphrey said he was pleased with the team’s response in the fourth quarter.
The win was Centralia’s second in three meetings with the Indians. They held the high-powered Hallsville offense 21 points below its season average. Humphrey discussed the key to slowing them down.
Hallsville concludes the season with a record of 17-10, having dropped six of its last eight games. Jouret was the lone Indian in double figures with 18. Coach Brandon Crites said this game came down to small details.
Jouret is one of four seniors graduating from this year’s Hallsville squad. Crites said this is a meaningful senior class.
Centralia improves to 17-11 and will face Mexico Saturday afternoon in the Class 4 District 8 Championship game. Pregame coverage will begin at 12:45 pm on KTCM 97.3 and centralmoinfo.com
Centralia coach Scott Humphrey
Hallsville coach Brandon Crites
