Centennial High buries season scoring record

Jeff Neubert

Friday, Feb. 18, 2005 | 10:30 a.m.

Another game, another record for the Centennial girls in Thursday's 98-34 win against Palo Verde in the Sunset Region semifinals at North Las Vegas' Mojave High School.

The Bulldogs now hold the Nevada state high school record for most points scored in a single season. The record was held by Bishop Manogue's 2000 boys' team, which scored 2,513 points. The Bulldogs now have 2,566 points this season.

They needed 46 points to break the record, and only needed one half to do it. Senior Ashley Blake scored 25 points in the game and scored the 46th point when she hit a 3-pointer at the end of the second period.

"We are not here to break records," Centennial coach Karen Weitz said. "We are here to play and win games."

Still, Centennial got the record just the same, and did so without star player and team captain Whitney Price. She has been out of the lineup since December with a knee injury.

"To have her out and everyone still step up, that's pretty huge," Weitz said.

The Bulldogs had four girls score in double figures. Sophomore Italee Lucas led the Bulldogs with 36 points. Whitley Cox, who made the shot that tied the state record for most points in a season, had 14 points, and teammate Kristina Kline had 12.

And as impressive an offensive output as it was, the Bulldogs' defense was every bit as remarkable, holding the Panthers to 11 points in the first half.

Centennial will play in the Sunset Regional finals game against Bishop Gorman today at 5 p.m. at Mojave.

Hilary Scott led the Panthers with 12 points, while teammate Don-Nise Coleman had eight.

Ashley Gayle had 13 points, Lauren Hoisington had 11 points and Tara Tillman had 10 points in the win. Lenette Battle had 14 points for the Mustangs.

"The girls had it in them tonight," Desert Pines coach Jim Richmond said. "They got down a couple times, but they were never out. They kept battling back, and we had a good outcome."

The Jaguars have won 14 of their past 17 games heading into tonight's Sunrise Region championship against Coronado.

"I think they have a certain swagger you get when you have a winning team," Richmond said. "They're pulling each other up, arguing like sisters do."

Jenee Webb had 22 points for Valley, with teammate Yolanda Johnson adding 21.

Basic's two highest scorers -- Debra Foster and Amber Purdie with 15 points each -- fouled out in a 5-second span late in the fourth quarter. Coronado took the lead for good after the two were eliminated.

"These girls have a lot of heart and character," Cougars coach Joe Moyes said. "We played Basic twice before; we know they're real aggressive. We tried to get them in foul trouble."

Melissa Flores led the Cougars with 23 points, 21 in the second half. Stephanie Delgado added 15 points.

Nick Christensen contributed to this report.