Centennial boys basketball outlasts Long Reach, 69-67, for third straight win

Howard County, MD — After back-to-back county road losses to start the season, Centennial boys basketball seems to be finding its rhythm right before the New Year.

Behind a 21-point performance from senior forward Hayden Ford, the Eagles held off Long Reach, 69-67, on Thursday night for their first league victory and third straight win overall.

The Lightning (1-2 county, 2-4 overall) trailed for much of the game but not by much. Their largest deficit to end a quarter was when they went into halftime down, 34-28. Senior guard Josh Jones, who entered the contest averaging 14.8 points per game, led all scorers with 23 points, all of which came from inside the three point arc. He also made all seven of his free throw attempts.

However, the balanced scoring attack for Centennial (1-2, 3-2) did just enough to secure the victory. Senior guards Sean Taylor, Corey Eudell and Andrew Hohmann all scored in double digits.

Next up, the Eagles will face Old Mill in the Glen Burnie tournament Wednesday at 3 p.m. Long Reach will play in the CKA Holiday Invitational Basketball Tournament at Howard Community College on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Lightning drew Friends School of Baltimore in their first game Tuesday at 6 p.m.

Centennial (1-2 county, 3-2 overall) — 69, Long Reach (1-2, 2-4) — 67

C — Ford 21, Eudell 12, Taylor 12, Hohmann 11, Hill 6, Williams 3, Smith 3, Addisu 1.

LR — Jones 23, Davis 13, Thompson Jr. 7, Young 6, Modeste 5, Raymond Jr. 4, Shupe 4, Moore 3, Lee 2.

Half: 34-28, C