Boys Basketball: Centennial Plays Stifling D in Win over Mount Hebron

In front of a completely filled gymnasium at Centennial High, the host Eagles prevailed over the visiting MT. Hebron Vikings, 53-39. The Eagles defense was stifling, allowing less than 50 points for the fourth straight game and pushing their winning streak to six.

When asked what they key was to his team’s winning streak Centennial Coach Chad Hollwedel responded with, “Defense, absolutely defense.”

“We did a good job keeping their two main scorers away from the basket,” said Hollwedel. “We need to do a better job sharing the ball, but the defense is starting to get there."

Down 28-17 at halftime, Mt. Hebron began the third quarter with a 5-0 run to bring themselves back within six, but it was all Eagles from there. After Centennial’s first field goal of the second half at the 4:12 mark in the third, they went on a 13-2 run to close out the quarter and went into the fourth with an 18-point lead.

However, the Vikings were able to force fourth quarter turnovers, allowing them to go on an 11-3 run to start the quarter. But after some back-and-forth action, Centennial’s Timi Tinuoye drilled a three at the 1:38 mark to put the game out of reach and seal the win for Centennial.

Offense was hard to come by in this game, as both teams played great pressure defense and forced a lot of turnovers, especially in the second half. Despite the win, Centennial had 15 second-half turnovers while Mt. Hebron had 12.

Mt. Hebron also settled for a lot of bad outside jump shots and were only able to attempt three free throws in the second half, all of which were missed. The Eagles went 8-14 from the line in the second half as well as out-rebounding Mt. Hebron 10-6.

Four Centennial players reached double digit scoring marks in this game including Mike Stefan who had 13. Keonte Potts had 11 along with Ben Goldsmith and Aaron Adams who added 10 apiece.

Mt. Hebron was led by Malik Gilmore’s game-high 17 while Jeff Mahillchock added 11, most of which came from beyond the three point arc in the second half. Gilmore also had four second half rebounds.

“We try to win every game one at a time,” said Hollwedel. “We’re going to have some tough games down the stretch and see some teams that beat us in the first half so we need to do a better job of adjusting.”

Up next for Centennial (9-4, 7-4) they get ten days off before facing Fallston on the 24 of this month. Mt. Hebron (8-5, 6-4) gets nearly two weeks off before traveling to Long Reach on January 26.