By ROWENA PLETT

Staff writer

Centre came out fighting Friday at Elyria Christian in McPherson. Despite losing 52-42, the Cougars gave the Eagles, coming off a seven-game winning streak and ranked fourth in the state in Division 2 of Class 1A, a run for their money.

Elyria had two three-pointers in the first quarter, but Centre’s Mikey Silhan also made two. He made a layup at the end of the quarter, bringing Centre within three points.

Four threes in the second quarter helped Elyria jump out to a 29-15 halftime lead, but the Cougars didn’t let up, playing good defense and fighting for rebounds.

They trailed by 18 points halfway through the third quarter, but a three-pointer by Silhan, two layups by Luke Hudson, and a basket by Quinten Bina narrowed the gap to eight.

“Way to work! Good job,” coach Richard Idleman told them during a timeout.

Hudson then made a three-pointer, bringing the Cougars within five.

An Elyria three-pointer and seven more unanswered points quickly put the Eagles 15 points ahead, but the Cougars didn’t give up.

Santiago Knepp scored, Silhan made two free throws and a field goal, and Kyle Peterson added two points to bring them back within 10 as the game ended.

Silhan led scoring for the Cougars with 18 points. He also had three steals. Hudson finished with a double-double, 14 points and 16 rebounds.

Centre was scheduled to play Herington in the first day of the Cougar Classic on Tuesday.

Girls

Facing a strong, aggressive team, Centre’s girls continued to struggle to make baskets and keep control of the ball.

They trailed 39-4 by halftime. Katie Bina, Caryle Deines, and Olivia Carlson scored in the third quarter, and Allie Stuchlik and Carlye Deines made two free throws each in the last quarter. The final score was 58-15.

They were scheduled to face Elyria again Tuesday in the first day of the Cougar Classic.