CENTERVILLE — The Centerville Bulldogs are riding the crest of a winning wave, taking a 3-0 district record to a state rank of 6th in the state for 1A teams.
Moreover, Coach Geoff Hollis said that players Jake Slaten and Kolt Larsen are in the top 3 in the state in multiple statistical categories.
According to MaxPreps, Slaten is ranked second in blocks and double-doubles, and second nationally in double-doubles. He also ranks third in points per game and rebounds per game in the state. Larsen is ranked first in the state and eighth nationally in assists per game.
“We are hoping to make the playoffs for the first time in more than 20 years on the boys side,” Hollis said. “We’re also hoping for a district championship which would only be the fifth in the 80-plus years of school history.”
On Friday, Centerville hammered Zavalla 91-34 in a district matchup to move to a 17-3 record.
Top producers were Kolt Larsen with 26 points, 13 assists, 9 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks; Jake Slaten with 25 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 steals and 3 blocks; Hardy Brown with 11 points, 2 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks; Iain Kendrick with 8 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals; Braden White with 6 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals; and Wyatt Clede with 5 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 block.
On Dec. 30, 5A Grace Community beat Centerville 91-67.
Top producers were Jake Slaten with 32 points, 19 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 blocks; Kolt Larsen with 21 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds and 1 steal; Iain Kendrick with 7 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 steals; Braden White with 5 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal; and Hardy Brown with 2 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists and 1 steal.
The Centerville JV team lost to Grace Community 75-28. Brice Selman had 11 points, Chris Fry had 7 points, Eli Emmons had 6 points, Kie Barton had 3 points, and Brandon McWhorter had 2 points.
The Tigers beat Carlisle 57-37 on Friday.
Head Coach Colton Jackson said the whole team stood out with 80 percent on rebounds and a total team effort in scoring.
He said the game started a bit shaky, but by the second half, the Tigers managed to shake off some of the rust from the winter break and run away with the game.
Jackson said the Tigers now have won seven-straight and have an overall record of 13-4.
The Eagles went 1-3 in the Dec. 27-28, 2024, Troup Classic.
After winning 67-64 over Harleton, Apple Springs lost to Alto 67-46, lost to Cayuga 54-33 and lost to Troup 60-40.
On Friday, the Eagles lost to Wells 72-48.
The Indians lost to the Centerville Tigers 84-24 on Dec. 31, then lost to Leon 71-34 on Friday.
On Friday, the Zavalla girls defeated the Lady Bulldogs 79-13.
Kyleigh Bogs had 5 points, Jordyn Jones had 3 points, Cheyenne Reese and Taylor Barton both scored 2 points and Peyton Noack scored 1 point.
On Dec. 31, the Lady Indians lost to the Centerville Lady Tigers 65-57. Leading scorers were Laney Peterson with 18, Tira Terrell with 13, and Lauren Moore and Darbi Parker both with 6.
Groveton lost to Leon 50-31 on Friday. Leading scorers were Lauren Moore with 8, Kayleigh Albus with 5, and Aubrey Alexander with 4.
The Lady Tigers downed the Cushing Bearkats 50-38 on Dec. 31, but lost to New Waverly 61-38 on Friday.
Against Cushing, Mariah Tyson put up 15 points and pulled down 23 rebounds in the effort. Bree Davidson added 12 points, and Olivia Mills grabbed 10 rebounds.
The Lady Eagles were blanked in four games at the Dec. 27-28 Troup Classic.
The team lost to Harleton 63-12, to Alto 51-19, to Cayuga 47-15 and to Troup 55-14.
