Richard Smith

West Valley Preps

In the hyper-competitive 5A Northwest Region, any way of getting a win will work.

That was on display Tuesday night, as Centennial used a running bank shot three-pointer by a defensive specialist to stay alive against Shadow Ridge. While that only sent the game into a second overtime, the home crowd could sense their team was going to triumph somehow.

Then in overtime sophomore guard Jojo Rincon, the aforementioned bank shot savior, drove baseline and used a lot of spin to sink a reverse layup for his only other points of the night and a 61-58 lead.

Senior point guard Payton Nelson, whose three with 41 seconds left in regulation tied the contest in the first place, hit another three in double overtime, plus two free throws with 12.9 seconds left to preserve the lead. Centennial (10-11 overall, 3-1 region) forced a contested three and made one more free throw for a 67-63 win over Shadow Ridge (15-7, 3-3).

"Shadow Ridge played hard and fought. Within our region, I think the team that takes it is going to have two or three losses. We still have to play at Shadow Ridge and Willow, and Liberty here," Centennial coach Randy Lavender said. "That's why this was a must win at home. I actually told their coach sorry, we weren't supposed to win but got a bank shot from three. But we'll take it."

The game was more about effort than execution, as both coaches endured several turnovers and questionable shots from their players. So it is fitting that the Coyotes avoided getting blown out early thanks to the relentless work of unheralded sophomore reserve forward David Tiebow.

Shadow Ridge jumped out to a 9-0 lead and the home team looked lethargic. Tiebow came in and Lavender employed a three-quarter court press.

Both moves worked. Tiebow finished the quarter with six points and four rebounds — three of them offensive boards — and the visitors saw their lead sliced to 14-12.

"The guys came out flat. They keep doing it. I've got to start subbing early and getting guys who want to perform," Lavender said. "David went in there and his job is to hit the boards and play hard."

Centennial's Jojo Rincon (#24) dribbles up the court against Shadow Ridge on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018 at Centennial High School in Peoria. [Jacob Stanek/West Valley Preps][/caption]The Stallions countered with their own backup big man, as junior forward Carter Hall scored all nine of his points in the second quarter. Tiebow got some help from senior forward Trenton Washington inside and Centennial led 29-26 at the half.

Both defenses dominated the third quarter and the Coyotes' lead was 36-34.

But Shadow Ridge kept the clamps on and seemed  to have the game under control with two minutes left. They regained the lead when senior Caleb Grieshaber was fouled attempting a they and sank all three free throws.

Layups by junior guard CJ Davis and sophomore center Anthony Garza pushed the lead to 48-43. Following a missed three by the visitors, Nelson made a layup.

"We didn't make plays down the stretch and they did. They ht a big three on us," Shadow Ridge coach Robert Bohon said. "The kids played hard. We've come a long way this year."

Centennial had a chance to tie with just under a minute left but Nelson's attempt from long range was an air ball. Seconds later he gained redemption, burying a trey to tie following a Coyotes steal.

A missed Shadow Ridge free throw and a pair of missed Centennial layups from odd angles sent the game into overtime.

"I try to tell them to just grind it out. They kept their composure and kept attacking. That got us an ugly win," Lavender said. "I told Payton he had a rough game with too many turnovers. But the three pointers were big."

Still the team from Surprise appeared ready to win in the extra period. Garza — who finished with 20 points, six rebounds and four blocks  — made a layup to put his team up 52-51. Basket interference wiped out a Centennial bucket.

Grieshaber made one free throw, Centennial was called for a five second inbound violation and Garza made one of two for a 54-51 advantage with nine seconds remaining.

That set the stage for Rincon's theatrics. Considering he was primarily on the court to play defense, handle the ball and set up his big men, Rincon seemed like the least likely shooter.

Tiebow reasserted himself with the first five Centennial points of double overtime. He led his team with 19 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks.

His free throw gave the home team a 59-58 lead it would not relinquish. Fittingly, Tiebow's free throw was the final point of the game.

"It was the most consistent game for him. He played hard," Lavender said. "Jojo, I try to keep him grounded and I expect a lot out of him because he's going to be one of the main guys returning next year. Now he's learning to play against guys that are bigger and stronger."

Though still below .500 overall, Centennial is in good shape in the Northwest. The Coyotes play each region rival again during the next two weeks and will pass current region leader Liberty (4-1) if they win out.

Shadow Ridge is still in good shape for the play-in round, entering Tuesday at No. 16 in the rankings. But since Friday morning, the Stallions plummeted from a half-game lead over the Lions to a third-place tie with rival Willow Canyon.

"Centennial, Willow Canyon and Liberty are tough teams. It's fun basketball," Bohon said. "We would have liked a different result. But we've won some close games like that."

Shadow Ridge's Carter Hall (#44) grabs a rebounds against Centennial on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018 at Centennial High School in Peoria. Centennial won in double overtime. [Jacob Stanek/West Valley Preps][/caption]