The Central High School A-Team

Ezell-Harding Academic Invitational
September 23, 2000

Season Begins Successfully
CHS I and CHS II both reach play-offs

The CHS A-Team kicked off the 2000-01 campaign with a trip up I-65 to Ezell-Harding in Nashville. The Lions were not sure what to expect as a mix of veterans and inexperienced rookies looked to see what the new season had to offer.

Central’s first team of seniors Jennifer Kragenbrink, Emily Senefeld and Jeremy Wear and junior Sam Wantland had high hopes and got the day off to a roaring start with a 300-220 win over a determined Riverdale III team.  CHS had a 260-100 lead in the second half before the Warriors rallied to cut the lead to 260-200 with three toss-ups to go.  Jennifer Kragenbrink put an end to any come-back hopes as she nailed toss-up number eighteen.  Next up was Knoxville West who look to be stronger this year than last as evidenced by their 360-190 win.  CHS was within ten points early in the second half but could never get over the hump and West pulled away.  The loss seemed to inspire the Lions as they reeled off three consecutive wins over Avery Trace III (400-50), Monterey (340-80), and Richland II (290-80) to enter the afternoon play-offs seeded eighth.

The biggest surprise of the day was the play of Central’s second team of seniors Philip Beck and Adam Flowers, junior Jeff Spurlock, and sophomores Shane Allen and Luke Maddux.  Prior to the competition only Flowers and Spurlock had played so the team’s 4-0 start was quite an accomplishment.  CHS II began the day with wins over Portland I (240-210), Richland I (220-160), Avery Trace II (200-110) and Dekalb County (160-110) setting up a round five showdown with fellow unbeaten Halls.  The Lions’ Cinderella start
came to an end as they lost 250-110 to the team from Knoxville but their 4-1 record did secure a number twelve seed in the play-offs.

The opening round of the play-offs found CHS I pitted against Cookeville III.  In a match which saw Cookeville pull away late, CHS lost 260-150.  Meanwhile CHS II found the going equally as tough as they fell to fifth-seeded Hillsboro 290-110.
                                                                                                                                                                                        CHS I was led in scoring by last year’s MVP Jeremy Wear who tallied 300 points while CHS II was paced by Philip Beck’s 160 points.

The A-Team will next see action November 4th at Cookeville.

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