The Centralia Tigers secured their second consecutive victory against the Rochester Warriors, winning 50-36 on December 29, 2023, at Ron Brown Court. The Tigers established an early lead, finishing the first quarter with a 12-point advantage. This win marked Centralia’s first home game victory of the season, improving their record to 2-6.
Strong performances from Centralia’s players propelled the team to victory. Sophomore center Braden Baine led the scoring with 13 points, while teammates Trevor Griffis and Johnny Ruiz contributed 12 and 10 points, respectively. Despite a challenging game with 29 turnovers, Centralia maintained composure to ensure their early lead remained intact throughout the match.
Rochester struggled to find their rhythm, continuing their winless streak at 0-9. Head coach Caleb Sells noted the team’s shooting difficulties, stating, “(Baine) killed us on the offensive glass. We kicked it out for a lot of 3s, and in the first half, we had a ton of open ones.” Emmitt Mancuso led the Warriors with 12 points, while Clayton Knutson added 10. One of Rochester’s promising newcomers, freshman guard Tyson Canales, was held scoreless by the Tigers’ defense.
Looking Ahead: Future Games and Team Development
Despite the loss, Coach Sells expressed optimism for the future. He highlighted the potential of his young team, which started four freshmen, stating, “Gives me a lot of hope for the future. We’re getting better. This young group could surprise some people in January.”
Centralia will look to build on this momentum when they host Mossyrock on December 27, 2023. Rochester, on the other hand, will return to the court in 2026, facing Hockinson on January 3. As the season progresses, both teams will aim to refine their skills and improve their standings in the league.
