(Centralia won 58-43 over Pretty Prairie - box score) 

At State for the first time since 2013 and for the 15th time in school history the Centralia Panther boys assured themselves a Top four finish by claiming a first round Class 1A-Division I State tournament win in Dodge City 58-42 over Pretty Prairie. 

The Bulldogs and Panthers traded the lead early in the contest and in the first quarter with Centralia holding a 14-13 lead after the first frame was over. That lead grew in the second quarter as the Panthers outscored Pretty Prairie 13-4 to lead 27-17 at intermission. Senior, John Johnson spear headed Centralia's first half posting 12 points by halftime and eight in the first quarter, while junior, Alec Duryea scored all of his seven points in the second. The momentum continued for Centralia in the second half as the Panthers extended the lead to 15-points in the third and led 43-29 after three quarters. In the fourth the Panthers pushed the lead to 18 and cruised to the win, 58-42. 

Johnson paced Centralia with a season-high 22 points to help the Panthers to the win and provided strong defense on Pretty Prairie's top scorer, Nick Lampe holding him to eight points, 11 shy of his season average. John's strong offensive and defensive game earned him Community National Bank "Player to Bank On" honors on KMZA. Dustin Talley chipped in 12 points and Braden Deters posted 11 points, hitting 9-12 free throws in the win. 

The win sends Centralia to 17-7 on the season and pushes them into the 1A-DI State tournament Semifinals on Friday at 4:45pm in Dodge City and they will take on fellow Twin Valley League team in the Hanover Wildcats. The game will be broadcasted on 92.1 KMZA.