For the seventh time in school history the Centralia Panthers boys basketball team was vying for third place as the State tournament but unlike the previous six which saw the Panthers take third, Centralia finished fourth with a tough 81-49 loss to St. John-Hudson. 

The game opened up with a 10-0 run by St. John while Centralia struggled to find the bottom of the cylinder not getting their first field in the game until after four minutes to go in the first quarter. Down 18-4 after the first the deficit for the Panthers grew by halftime as St. John led 36-15 at the half. The Panthers did go on a 7-0 run in the second quarter but St. John had many more runs across the game and finished the game strong with a 26-19 fourth quarter as Centralia fell 81-49 taking fourth at State. 

Panthers struggled from the floor shooting just 37.5% from the floor while St. John connected upon 55.1% of their shots in the win. St. John also connected upon 21-27 free throws in the contest. 

In the loss Centralia was led by Daegan Steinlage who scored 13 points, while Trenton Flentie netted 10 points. 

Panthers started the State tournament with a come from behind 60-59 win over Osborne, then fell 74-73 to fellow Twin Valley League school, Hanover in Overtime in the Semifinals and fell 81-49 in the third place game against St. John. 

Centralia capped their season with a 16-11 record and their seventh Top four finish at State in school history.