Warren Central 91 Bowling Green 69

[PurplePride92]

Final.  Warren Central wins round 1.  

[DragonFire]

Everything was clicking in this one for Central.  I wouldn't say it would be impossible for them to play better - particularly offensively - but it would be difficult.  They won the opening tip and scored about three seconds into the game, and led the whole rest of the way.  Scored the first seven points, and after the Purples closed to 9-6, Central went on a 15-2 run, and also closed the quarter on a 9-2 run.  It was 33-12 after one, and all but over at that point.  The Purples battled in the second quarter, working it to a 40-27 deficit at the midpoint when Central called timeout.  The Dragons erupted with a 13-0 finish to the frame, and the deficit was never again less than 20. 

Central was 13/24 for the game from three, including 11/16 in the first half.  Chappelle Whitney hit seven threes in the first half, dropping 27 points in the first two quarters.  They forced 12 turnovers and held the Purples to 4/17 shooting from three.  The only aspect of Bowling Green's game that worked as it has been was getting to the free throw line, where they were 21/24.  Central's length seemed to bother Bowling Green, and a very good Dragon crowd really built the homecourt advantage against a very, very young Bowling Green team.  Buttry never really seemed to get on track, going just 1/8 from three. 

Ultimately, it is only a single game in the standings, and it was much more important for Central to win this game as it was at home.  So far none of the big three (Central, Bowling Green, Greenwood) have won a road game in the round robin against each other, and the one that does - if one does - will be the team that likely brings home the top seed.  It was a big psychological win for Central, for a group that had not really experienced beating Bowling Green other than senior Jaiden Lawrence.  Rematch is just two weeks away.

[Purple88]

Tip of the hat to the Dragons!

Not many teams going to lose shoothing 3s like that.

With BG so young, will be interesting to see how they play in the rematch or rematch #1 that is.