Centre boys return 7 letter-winners

The Centre High School boys’ basketball team for 2016-17: front row (from left) Cody Svoboda, Dylan Deines, Cole Srajer, Brendon Bina, Cole Methvin, Max Svoboda; middle row, Xavier Espinoza, Tanner Wiggans, Austin Peterson, James Spohn, Daniel Rudolph, Zach Barney; back row, Jensen Riffel, Aidan Svoboda, Braxton Smith, Tanner Peterson, Troy Jones. Not pictured: CJ Thompson, Alex Stika, Dalton Stika, Bryce Brunner, Corden Minor. The returning letter-winners are: Dylan Deines, Brendon Bina, Cody Svoboda, Xavier Epinoza, Cole Methvin, Cole Srajer, Max Svoboda.

The Free Press

With five returning letter-winners, hope for an even better boys’ basketball record at Centre High School is shared by the players, coach and fans.

Last year’s squad was able to double its win record from the previous season to 7-14.

Coach Richard Idleman said, “With seven returning players on varsity, last year’s playing time is a positive as we head into the 2016-17 season.”

The squad returns three senior starters and two junior starters.

Senior Dylan Deines, 6-3, averaged 10 points and five rebounds per game.

Senior guard 6-0 Cole Methvin shot averaged seven points per game, plus pulling down four rebounds.

A 6-2 senior, Brendon Bina averaged three rebounds and two points.

Junior Cody Svoboda is one of the team’s tallest players at 6-4. Playing center, he averaged two points and two rebounds.

Cole Srajer, a 5-7 junior, is the team leader in scoring with 14 points per game.

Two other players saw considerable playing time last season.

C.J. Thompson, a 5-9 junior, plays point guard. Xavier Espinoza, a 5-9 sophomore combination player, averaged of four points per game.

Obviously, experience is a strength for the Cougar team. Asked about areas to improve, Idleman said, “We must work harder on the defensive side the ball. Fouling has to drop immensely while working on our transition game.”

The team has set a goal of improving on its won-loss record from last year, experience a winning season and battle for the Wheat State League title.

The Cougars open their season Friday night with a home game against Central Christian.