CHS Wins WHS Tourney, Again

The Central Dragon basketball team continued its inspired play with the championship at the Williamsburg Holiday Tournament on Dec. 28-29.

The Dragons defeated the host Blue Pirates in the opening round before outlasting Philipsburg-Osceola in the finals. CHS has won the holiday tournament eight consecutive years.

Central’s record improved to 7-1 on the season.

Northern Bedford fell to 0-7 on the year with losses to Philipsburg-Osceola (77-30) and Williamsburg (74-65).

The Blue Pirates’ victory over NBC was their first in six games this season.

CHS 63, WHS 38

Williamsburg gave Central all they could handle in the opening half, trailing just 23-21 at intermission. Braden Kitt had 12 of his team-high 22 points in the first half but then other Dragon starters were held to only seven total points.

It was a different Dragon squad in the second half as they posted 40 points and held the Pirates to just 17. Central had a huge third quarter, scoring 25 points. Hunter Klotz scored 10 of his 15 points in the third quarter, while Kitt added eight and Noah Muthler six.

For the game 10 Dragons got into the scoring column. Central had a 35-17 advantage on the boards, led by Muthler (12) and Klotz (11). Muthler also dished out nine assists, while Thad Albright had six assists and four steals. Central connected on 25-of-48 attempts, including 20-of-30 from two-point range.

P-O 77, NBC 30

The Black Panthers were held to single digits in each quarter during their 77-30 setback to Philipsburg-Osceolo in the first round.

P-O scored 21 and 24 points in the second and fourth quarters, respectively, en route to the win.

Dalton Smith paced the Black Panthers with 12 points. Caleb Diehl added eight points.

WHS 74, NBC 65

In the consolation game on Dec. 29, Williamsburg outscored Northern Bedford 19-7 in the third quarter while earning its first win of the season, 74-65.

The Blue Pirates held a 33-32 lead at halftime before breaking the game open in the third quarter.

Josiah Dowey poured in a game-high 31 points for Williamsburg. Shane Brantner added 15 points.

Caleb Diehl led four NBC players in double figures with 19 points, including three 3-pointers. Dalton Smith added 16 points, while Dakota Claar and Hayden Forr each contributed 10 points.

CHS 51, P-O 30

In the championship game on Dec. 29, both teams had difficulty offensively as Central led just 19-16 at halftime. Braden Kitt (nine) and Lleyton Kling (eight) scored all but two of the Dragons’ points.

P-O tied the game at 25-25 entering the final quarter before Central exploded with a 26-5 fourth frame to win 51-30.

Kitt finished with 16 points, including three from long range. Kling totaled 12 and Thad Albright added 10, including 6-of-6 from the charity stripe.

The Dragons’ huge fourth quarter included a 16-of-20 showing at the foul line. Hunter Klotz ripped down nine rebounds to lead the team, while Albright sparked the win with five steals. Albright was chosen the Outstanding Defender for the tournament, while Kling grabbed the Sportsmanship Award. Klotz was a member of the All-Tournament team and Kitt was awarded the Outstanding Player.

“Both games were hard-fought and not decided until the second half,” Central coach Reggie Nevins said. “Our opponents played hard and we had to respond. I have to give all our guys a lot of credit for playing well under pressure situations. We’ve been in a number of dog fights and have come out on the positive side in most of them. The most impressive number goes to the defense. Only one team has scored more than 38 points in a game against us this season and that’s the game we lost.”

According to Nevins, Central was informed that Williamsburg has chosen to go a different route next season, and neither the Dragons nor Philipsburg-Osceola will be invited to participate in the holiday tournament.