The Riverside Press-Enterprise
SWEET REVENGE
Burries helps Roosevelt avenge loss to Centennial, which sees long league win streak end
Brayden Burries said thoughts of a rematch were inside his head in the immediate moments after the Roosevelt boys basketball team lost an 8278 decision to Centennial in January’s Big VIII League opener.
Burries was held to 12 points in the initial meeting, but the standout junior forward rose to the occasion Friday.
Burries sank five 3-pointers and registered a double-double with 31 points and 10 rebounds, as the Mustangs avenged that previous loss with a 63-50 win in the Big VIII League tournament final at Santiago High School.
“I just told Brayden, ‘Don’t be afraid to be great.’ There is greatness inside of that young man, and he showed that tonight,” Roosevelt coach Stephen Singleton said. “This was a huge game for us, and he just took over.”
Roosevelt snapped Centennial’s 70-game winning streak in league play. The last time the Huskies had lost a league game was the 2016-17 season, when Roosevelt beat Centennial five times, including twice in league.
“We have been working for this one all season long,” Roosevelt senior guard Darnez Slater said. “Centennial is our biggest rival, and it’s always a great battle whenever we play them. It feels good to finally get that win.”
When the teams squared off in January, Centennial raced out to a double-digit lead in the first three minutes. The Huskies (2010 overall) grabbed the first 12 rebounds and finished with a 4122 edge in that department.
Roosevelt (27-2) was able to flip the script Friday night. Burries and Issac Williamson scored 10 points apiece in the opening quarter, as the Mustangs outscored Centennial 20-2 over the final 5 1/2 minutes of the period.