PLEASANT GROVE FALLS TO CENTER,
Pleasant Grove boys eliminated after 72-58 loss to Center
LONGVIEW, Texas—Pleasant Grove gave No. 6 Center all it could handle, but came up short in the Class 4A regional quarterfinals.
The Roughriders outscored the Hawks 36-24 in the second half en route to a 72-58 win at Spring Hill’s Panther Gym Tuesday.
“We played a great game, and I couldn’t be more proud of the guys,” Brewer said. “In the second half, the ball didn’t bounce our way. Center got calls their way. I am proud of my six seniors. We’ll be back.”
Pleasant Grove stuck with the Roughriders most of the game. It wasn’t until the fourth quarter that Center pulled away.
The first half was played on even keel, and the heavily-favored Roughriders went into the locker room up by just two points.
Cory Jones, who contributed eight for the Hawks, scored six points in the first quarter.
Center’s Jaterious Evans, who had a game-high 27 points, hit a shot from downtown just before the end of the first, and the Roughriders took a 16-15 lead.
Connor Ouelllette, who finished with a team-high 20 points for PG, hit a pair of treys and a jumper for a total of eight points in the second quarter.
The pace of the game slowed in the third quarter, and Center outscored Pleasant Grove 12-8.
Xavier Benson had a double-double for the Hawks with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
The fourth quarter started with PG down by six, but the Roughriders went on a 10-1 run to end the game and claim a spot in the 4A regional semifinals.
Center hit on 26 of 45 shots for 58 percent, while the Hawks shot 45 percent (21 of 47). The rebounds were even at 27 apiece. PG had 14 turnovers to the Roughriders’ 11.
Pleasant Grove finished the season at 22-10.