Hoops: Centennial, Indy split early District 11-AAA hardwood tilts

Centennial’s boys and the Independence girls’ squad captured key early season victories despite all four teams combining for 85 turnovers, 80 personal fouls, and missing 131 shots in two District 11-AAA games Tuesday in Thompson's Station.

Centennial boys 57, Independence 39

On a night when the cold outside crept under the doors and apparently set up squatters’ rights on both benches, Centennial used 17 trips to the free throw line, hitting 25-of-34 opportunities to take a 57-39 win over Independence on the road.

Tre Carlton led all scorers with 20 points, including notching 10-of-13 at the line and kept his coach trying to slow him down, just a little.

“Tre’s coming back from football and he’s trying to get his feel back. He’s an all-district kind of player and he’s trying to play like that probably earlier than he’s ready for,” said Cougar head coach Pete Froedden. “We’ve got to let him be him.

“We’ve got good guys who are trying to figure out their roles. Sometimes they’re over-thinking and sometimes they’re not thinking, but I love my team; I love how hard they play. For that you can’t be upset with them.”

In typical Froedden fashion, the Cougars used nearly every player that dressed and while none others reached double figures, seven Centennial players contributed points on offense in a well-balanced attack.

First-year Indy coach Jarrett Jones did the same in a contest that was full speed between whistles. Jack Sisson posted 10 points to lead the Eagles in a contest that slowed by 49 total personal fouls and a combined 28 trips to the free throw line.

The charity stripe was the bright spot for Independence, where the team hit 14-of-19 (73.7 percent). Away from the mark, the Eagles managed to shoot just 22.4 percent.

“They played really hard,” Jones said after the contest, “and I think they wore us down and we made a lot of mistakes. We were doing a pretty good job defensively, but when you can’t score, eventually that defense just breaks. And we had a hard time putting the ball in the basket tonight.

“We just got outworked tonight.”

The victory moves Centennial to 2-1 in District 11-AAA and a tie for second with Page and Ravenwood before hosting Franklin on Friday night. Independence falls to 1-2 and travels to neighborhood rival Summit Friday night.

Centennial – 12 18 8 19 – 57

Independence – 9 15 7 8 – 39

Centennial (57) – Tre Carlton 20, Wall 7, Williams 7, McLemore 6, Haynesworth 6, Pearson 5, Brown 4, Ellison 2.

Independence (39) – Jack Sisson 10, Jones 8, Kasterlic 7, M. St. Charles 6, Ham 4, Bynum 2, Garner 2.

3-pointers – Centennial 4 (Carlton 2, Wall 1, Williams 1); Independence 3 (M. St. Charles 2, Sisson 1).

Free Throws – Centennial 25-of-34 (73.5 percent); Independence 14-of-19 (73.7 percent)

Independence girls 59, Centennial 36

Kiersten Hudson scored 23 points and Kelsey Leedle added 12 as Independence unleashed a 3-point barrage on turnover-prone Centennial to post a 59-30 victory Tuesday night in Thompson Station.

Hudson (6-of-10) and Leedle (4-of-5) shot 66.7 percent from behind the arc to claim more than half of the Lady Eagles’ points. Ironically, Independence shot just 21 percent from inside the arc and only 40 percent at the free throw line.

The Lady Cougars, still without injured Shantell Flye, depended on junior Maela Robertson, who responded with 27 points to lead all scorers. The rest of the squad hit just 2-of-19 from the floor and team finished, unofficially, with as many turnovers as points.

Flye has been out under concussion protocol. 

Indy moves to 1-2 in District 11-AAA, while Centennial falls to 0-3.

Centennial – 12 7 6 11 – 36

Independence – 15 16 13 15 – 59

Centennial (36) – Malea Robertson 27, M. Stewart 4, Hardin 2, Bledsoe 2, J. Stewart 1.

Independence (59) – Kierston Hudson 23, Kelsey Leedle 12, Murphy 7, McAdams 7, Hearn 5, Haylett 3, Murrah 2.

3-pointers – Centennial 3 (Robertson 3); Independence 13 (Hudson 6, Leedle 4, Hearn 1, Murphy 1, McAdams 1)

Free Throws – Centennial 11-of-15 (73.3 percent); Independence 4-of-10 (40 percent).