GIRLS: CENTRALIA 50, DONIPHAN WEST 42

Scoring came at a premium to start the contest as the two teams combined for just five points in the opening three minutes of the ballgame. Both of their leading scorers, Oen Deters for Centralia and Malaina Whetstine for Doniphan West, ended up getting five points apiece as the game went into the second quarter tied 10-10.

Doniphan West got their first lead of the game as they scored the opening basket of the quarter, and they would hold the lead until the final minute of the half when Deters made a putback layup to go up 18-16. She had all of the team’s eight points in the period. However, it would be Whetstine who would drain a three with less than ten seconds left to give the Mustangs a 19-18 lead into the break.

Deters continued to keep Centralia in the ballgame as she made a three-pointer and went 4-for-6 from the free-throw line. She had seven of the team’s 11 points in the frame to give them the lead back going into the fourth quarter with a 29-28 lead.

Centralia started the fourth quarter with a 10-2 run, which would be the difference of the game. Deters, Hayden Kramer and Tava Gibs combined for 21 points with only three field goal makes. The remaining 15 points came on free throws, a part of their game they have struggled with this season.

Deters finished with 31 points going 12-for-15 from the free throw line, making her the definitive Player of the Game brought to you by Farmers State Bank.

Whetstine led the Mustangs with 16 points, and Andi Foster and Katie Johnson both scored ten points.

Centralia will take on Valley Heights at 5:30 on Friday.

BOYS: CENTRALIA 60, DONIPHAN WEST 29

Doniphan West started the game with a brief 4-3 lead, but that was then followed by a 10-3 Centralia run to give them a 13-7 lead after the first quarter. Reese Tanking scored seven points and Paxton Bowers scored the other six.

Doniphan West came out of the second quarter with a 7-0 run of their own. Just like the first quarter, their one-point lead wouldn’t last as the Panthers put together a 10-2 run to lead 23-16 at halftime. Bowers continued to take over the game with 14 first-half points.

The runs continued as Centralia started the second half with an 11-3 run. They would score 16 points in the first four minutes of the quarter, which helped them seal Doniphan West’s fate. Centralia would outscore Doniphan West 17-4 in the fourth quarter for good measure. That totaled to the Panthers outscoring the Mustangs 37-13 in the second half.

Bowers scored 20 to lead all scorers. He is your Player of the Game brought to you by Farmers State Bank. Tanking was no slouch either with 16 of his own. Both players sat out for most of the fourth quarter.

Centralia moves on to the semifinals to play Hanover on Friday at 7 p.m.

Coverage of the Twin Valley League tournament has been made possible by M&R Auto Parts, Farmers State Bank of Onaga, Highland Community College, Bendena State Bank, SBS Insurance, Wanklyn Oil Company, First National Bank of Frankfort, B&D Buildings, Blue Valley Technologies, BB Brothers Contractor, Koch And Co., Hilltop Creations, Helena Agri-Enterprises, Onaga Pharmacy, and Elmer’s Repair.