History not long, but still heated in Centennial-Shadow Ridge rivalry

Jeff Neubert

Thursday, Feb. 3, 2005 | 9:36 a.m.

The rivalry isn't a long, storied one, but it is a bitter one nonetheless.

Two years ago, Shadow Ridge's zoning drew many students away from Centennial, and the Bulldogs haven't forgotten.

The Centennial boys' basketball team put itself a little closer to the playoffs with a hard-fought 53-47 win Wednesday against their division rival.

"That was a war," Centennial coach Greg Bohls said. "You could tell we were rivals."

Jimmy Banks and Jared Noa led the Bulldogs with 12 points each.

With the win, the Bulldogs go to 5-3 in the division and put themselves in a tie for first place in the Northwest Division. The top four teams from each division advance to the playoffs.

Bohls said he thinks this win will help the team in its final game next week at Mojave.

With a win next week at Mojave, Centennial can clinch a berth in the playoffs.

The Mustangs were led by sophomore Jacob Hafen, who had 11 points.

"This was a big game for us," Shadow Ridge coach Kevin Otis said. "This is one we probably should've had."

With consecutive division losses, the Mustangs will be fighting to get into the playoffs next week against the No. 1 team in the division, Palo Verde.

With the loss to Centennial, Shadow Ridge now has a 3-5 division record with only two division games left, and both are must-win games for the Mustangs to get into the playoffs.