Idaho Statesman Article

New players, same result for Centennial girls basketball

Despite having to replace four starters, the Patriots are off to a 16-2 start

BY RACHEL ROBERTS - rroberts@idahostatesman.com
Copyright: © 2010 Idaho Statesman
Published: 01/17/10

The Centennial High girls basketball team has changed dramatically since its run to a second-place finish at last year's 5A state tournament.

Only one starter remains from the 2008-09 team and for the first time in two seasons, the Patriots aren't at the top of the 5A Southern Idaho Conference standings.

What hasn't changed is the tenacious defense and athletic style of play that has helped make the Patriots a staple at the state tournament under longtime coach Emery Roy.

"Last year's team was so disciplined and we had so many goals that we were always looking forward to," said Taylor Hagood, the Patriots' lone returning starter. "This team plays more game-to-game and we're always hungry. We're a little more inexperienced, but we're really athletic and have some good talent."

On Saturday night, the Patriots showcased their defensive talent, grabbing 21 steals in a 56-47 victory over Meridian.

Centennial (16-2, 14-2 5A SIC) limited the Warriors (11-6, 9-6) to just nine first-half points and corralled them into 14 of their 21 turnovers using a full-court press.

"People don't expect us to be as good because we have four new starters," said junior guard Sofia Huerta, who has verbally committed to play soccer for WCC power Santa Clara. "Now people kind of underestimate us."

Huerta scored a game-high 17 points with six steals and five rebounds and Hagood added 13 points and two assists.

With a 21-9 lead at the break, a Centennial victory looked like a sure thing, but the Warriors took advantage of hot 3-point shooting in the third and fourth quarters to get back into the game.

Freshman Holly Blades went 3-for-5 from 3-point range and senior guards Brooke Lainhart and Chelsie Luke each hit two 3s as the Warriors shot 50 percent from beyond the arc. Luke led Meridian with 13 points, eight rebounds and seven assists before fouling out with a little more than a minute to play in the fourth quarter.

Meridian got as close as 39-37 with 3:50 left in the fourth quarter, but the Patriots went 10-for-12 from the free-throw line in that same span to end the Warriors' comeback bid.

"We're still learning. It's a work in progress," Roy said. "They still make mistakes under pressure, but they seem to do enough to get away with it."