GIRLS
• Centre opened the new year with a 42-27 win Friday at Herington. The Cougars took an 11-10 lead after one quarter, then, with Kelsey Hett scoring seven points, Centre expanded the margin to 22-15 by halftime.
The Cougars continued to pull away in the second half by outscoring the Railers 13-9 in the third quarter and 7-3 in the final quarter.
Hett finished as Centre’s high scorer with 12 points and Emily Schlessner added 10 as the Cougars improved to 5-2 for the season and 2-1 in the Wheat State League. Herington slipped to 3-3 and 1-1.
This week Centre will travel to Rural Vista for a league game on Friday, then host the Cougar Classic Tournament the following week.
BOYS
• Goessel’s new year got off to a bumpy start with a 56-36 loss at Solomon.
The Bluebirds surprised the home team by building a 12-5 lead after one quarter.
Momentum turned in the second quarter, however, when Solomon outscored Goessel, 13-4, for an 18-16 halftime lead.
Solomon maintained control through the second half, winning the third quarter, 21-10, and the fourth quarter, 17-10 for the final 20-point spread.
Jordan Griffin led Goessel with 16 points with Dylan Lindeman adding 12.
For the game, Goessel shot 28 percent (12-43) from the floor while Solomon shot 38 percent (21-56).
With the loss, Goessel is 0-7 for the season. The Bluebirds will host Elyria Christian on Friday.
Basketball coaches, please send game scores and stats to don@hillsborofreepress.com.