Center Grove’s boys basketball team outscored visiting Brownsburg 39-32 in the final three quarters of the Trojans’ regular-season home finale Tuesday.
Unfortunately for Center Grove, the first quarter — which Trojans coach Zach Hahn said has been a recurring issue in recent games — was a different story.
After Center Grove scored the game’s opening basket, the Class 4A No. 10 Bulldogs reeled off 12 straight points. They built the lead to 19 before the host Trojans fell just short in a methodical comeback attempt, losing 51-46.
“About the last nine games, the first quarter has really hurt us,” Hahn said. “We’re allowing teams 20 to 25 points in the first quarter, then all of a sudden we decide to start guarding a little better, being a little bit more disciplined. When you’re behind, and you struggle to score, it makes the gap feel that much larger.”
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Brownsburg scored 19 points in the first quarter Tuesday, and its lead to grew to 19 points (28-9) with 3:26 remaining in the first half. The Bulldogs (18-4) still led 38-24 after three quarters, but Center Grove (7-13) kept it interesting in the fourth period. The five-point margin at game’s end was the closest it got after the first quarter, but the Trojans had the ball trailing by just two possessions twice in the fourth quarter.
“Our energy and effort in the second half fueled our offense, and that’s the way we need to play the entire game,” Hahn said.
Landin Hacker led Center Grove with 11 points, while Ben Cooney added eight. Charlie Bemis contributed six points and grabbed a team-high seven rebounds, while Marcus Ankney finished with six points and pulled down six rebounds.
Brownsburg had just one double-figure scorer, but his output more than made up for any other offensive deficiencies. Malek Edmonds poured in 32 points, including three 3-pointers and three dunks, and hit 9 of his 10 free-throw attempts.
“He’s so physical down low and such a great athlete, but he’s really expanded his game in the last year,” Hahn said of Edmonds. “He causes a lot of rotation issues for teams because he can do so much.”
Despite the loss, the clear highlight for the Center Grove crowd came on the game’s opening basket. Liam Price, the Trojans’ senior student manager who’s also a Unified athlete, earned a place in the starting lineup. He then converted a layup for the game’s first basket, drawing a standing ovation from a larger-than-normal home crowd.
“The atmosphere tonight for Liam and for Ben Cooney, our other senior, was awesome,” Hahn said. “To see the crowd come out, to see former players back here celebrating some of these guys is special, and that’s what makes Center Grove a great community.”
The Trojans close regular-season play Thursday at Columbus North.
