The Centralia seniors were all recognized on Tuesday. On Senior Night, the Lady Panthers cruised to a 48-26 win over Southern Boone while the Panthers lost 56-52 after the Eagles came back.
Southern Boone's reigning all-state player Chloe Bukowsky was the only stable scorer for the Lady Eagles as she finished with 16 points, but Centralia defense was stingy overall. The Lady Panthers (20-4 for second straight 20-win season) allowed Southern Boone (10-14) only 16 points over the final three quarters. Senior Morgan Ross and Ryenn Gordon each led with 12 points, Braylin Brunkhorst followed with 10 points, and senior Raegan Anderson added two 3-pointers to her program single-season record of 72 3-pointers, and senior Shelby Lewis pulled down nine rebounds. Seniors Katie Carrico (three rebounds) and Kaelyn Walters (three rebounds) were in the starting lineup with the other three seniors.
The Panthers (14-10) led Southern Boone (18-4 and received votes in latest Class 4 state poll) for most of the game until the Eagles took their first lead at 48-47 with 6:33 left in fourth quarter. Chase Morris led the floor with 21 points (10 points in the fourth quarter), and Southern Boone shot 16-for-21 from the free-throw line in the second half. Centralia's double-digit lead at one time dwindled after several got into foul trouble and two eventually fouled out. Anthony Ford led the Panthers with 12 points and eight rebounds, Travis Brooks followed with 12 points, seven rebounds and three 3-pointers, senior Noah Kropf had nine points, senior Cullen Bennett had four points and three rebounds, and senior Beau Hatton had two points and three rebounds.
The Lady Panthers (6-0 CCC) look to lock up their first outright Clarence Cannon Conference championship since 1978 with a 6 p.m. game at Clark County (0-5 CCC) while the Panthers (4-2 CCC) follow against the Indians (5-15, 0-5 CCC) at about 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Look for the full stories on the Mexico Ledger website on Friday and look for Centralia stories in the Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024 edition of the Mexico Ledger.
