Friday’s prep recap: How three shooters are restoring Centennial basketball to power
Few expected much of the Centennial High boys basketball team this season. Coming off four straight losing seasons, the Patriots were picked to finish sixth in the 12-team 5A Southern Idaho Conference in a preseason coaches’ poll.
But Centennial continued to prove all the doubters wrong Friday.
Seniors Tyler Shipp, Wes Johnson and Kaden Christensen scored 11 points each as the upstart Patriots jumped into third place in the 5A SIC standings with a 60-46 win over Meridian, the reigning state champ.
“We’ve been playing with each other our whole lives,” Christensen said. “We’ve got experience, and it really helps us and our younger guys.”
That experience was evident right away. In the first 90 seconds of the game, Christensen splashed two 3-pointers to set the tone. And on the defensive end, Shipp and Johnson provided key blocks in the paint to slow down the Warrior attack.
“Those three do their job every night, but it was a team effort,” Centennial coach Josh Aipperspach said. “We had a great week of practice and prepared all week.”
Shipp, Johnson and Christensen rank first, second and third in the conference in made 3-pointers for Centennial (9-7, 8-3 5A SIC). And with eight seniors on the roster, their leadership and talent helps the entire team get better on the court.
“It’s about being a leader in practice and on and off the floor,” Christensen said. “If you’re a leader to them, they’ll step up too. It’s about being a leader to everyone and being an example.”
A 3-pointer by Brock Voegele helped Meridian (9-7, 8-3) spark an 8-4 run and cut the third-quarter deficit to 34-31. But the Patriots knew what was at stake. Centennial used a fourth-quarter push to solidify a top four position in the conference and stay on track for a first-round bye in the district tournament, which starts in two weeks.
Despite Meridian senior forwards Ethan Pierce and Davis Thacker trimming the lead to 44-39 in the final quarter, the Centennial senior trio would not succumb. Triples from Christensen and Johnson killed the Warrior momentum, with Shipp and junior guard Hayden Fletcher providing key free throws to put the final nail in the coffin.
“Throughout half of the season, we struggled for a little bit and weren’t that consistent,” Christensen said. “We had some ups and downs, so to beat (Meridian) means a lot for our team.”
The Patriots’ win drops the defending state champions to No. 4 in the 5A SIC standings. Meridian’s Pierce, Thacker and freshman guard T.J. Sanor led the Warriors with eight points each.
But the Centennial trio of Shipp, Johnson and Christensen guided the Patriots to their biggest win of the season. Looking to the make the state tournament for the first time since 2018, Aipperspach has high expectations for his streaky shooting team.
“These guys, from Day 1, always wanted to be good,” Aipperspach said. “We still have a long way to go. But when we move the basketball, we’re a tough team.”
FRIDAY’S PREP STANDOUTS
- Bayler Perrin, Mountain View (boys basketball): Erupted for 32 points in the Mavericks’ 70-50 win over Skyview.
- Jude Porter, Boise (boys basketball): Scored 25 points and added five assists to lead the Brave to their first win of the season, a 52-42 win against Capital.
- Trinity Sammons, Emmett (girls basketball): Posted a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds in the Huskies’ 55-46 win at Ridgevue.
- Abbi Roubidoux, Fruitland (girls basketball): Poured in 24 points as the Grizzlies strengthened their lead atop the 3A SRV standings with a 64-50 victory at Homedale.
BOYS BASKETBALL
GIRLS BASKETBALL
