Source: Williamson Herald Sports
Author: Charlie Bateman
Nolensville boys 61, Centennial 56
The Knights have fallen short in a bunch of tight games this season, but on Friday, they weren't going to be denied. Jaden Clark pumped in 18 points, while both Lucas Pring and BJ Hall tallied 11 for the Knights.
"We did a great job learning from the regular season – we lost a bunch of tight, one-possession games," Nolensville coach Drew Giudice said. "We were calm under pressure and we really handled a tight emotional game well."
Giudice said his team is balanced by nature and his boys found their shooting touch in the postseason.
"We have not been a good shooting team all year, but the shots went in for us today, especially in the first half," he said.
Centennial had three players in double figures: Dominic Reed with 15 points, Taner Lee had a dozen and Miles Katawala scored 10. All three contributed in a late run after the Knights staked a 50-40 lead to start the fourth quarter.
A Katawala jumper late in the fourth lifted the Cougars to within 56-53 as Centennial mounted a 13-6 run to start the final frame, but clutch free throws and a late bucket from Pring sealed the victory.
Nolensville had fallen short of Centennial in both regular season matchups – a 52-47 loss on Jan. 17 and a 53-41 setback on Feb. 3.