Central continues area dominance with win over Glendale at Tournament of Champions
For the three-game stay at the 2024 Bass Pro Tournament of Champions, all Central head coach Jordan Epps wanted to see was the Bulldogs play like themselves.
No one is going to hold over the Bulldogs' 68-37 loss to St. John Bosco (California) in the first round. They saw more of what the Bulldogs were about in the semifinals but came up a point short against Rainier Beach (Seattle).
"We've talked a lot about just doing us," Epps said. "Our identity is playing hard, playing defense and playing fast on offense."
Those in attendance for Saturday's semifinal game against Glendale got a better idea of why the Bulldogs are considered one of the better teams in the state.
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From midway through the second quarter, Central ran away with a 68-46 win over Glendale in a rematch of the Gold Division championship game at the most recent Blue and Gold Tournament.
Central trailed for the first quarter-and-a-half against an inspired Glendale squad. A Bryce Walker dunk tied the game with 3:34 left in the half. About 70 seconds later, the Bulldogs built their lead up to seven and never turned back.
"That was a lot better of a showing of our culture and what we're building," Epps said.
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The Bulldogs played the game without perhaps its best player in junior Keion Epps who was held out with a minor hip injury. It allowed others to step up in his place.
Tyrique Brooks, the Bulldogs' lone senior, scored 18 points with eight rebounds and three 3's. He was Central's most consistent player over the three days.
Keion Epps' absence also opened the door for more shots for junior Rue Wells who would be the best player on many different rosters throughout the area. He scored a game-high 20 points with 10 rebounds and eight assists.
"You know what you're going to get out of him on a daily basis," Jordan Epps said. "He's going to make hustle plays, he's going to guard super hard, he's going to rebound and get us some second-chance opportunities. Our program knows what to expect from him."
Sophomore Donovan Martin also got an opportunity when his chances had been limited on a deep and talented Bulldogs roster. His coach teased that his time was coming and he took advantage on Saturday afternoon by scoring 11 points with three 3's and by grabbing five rebounds.
"He definitely stepped up into that role that we needed him to," Epps said. "He came up big for us."
Central will have a shot at finishing off a three-game sweep of Glendale when they meet again on Feb. 2. Before then, the Bulldogs have a few conference games and a neutral-site game against Webster Groves in St. Louis.
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A showdown at The Pit against Kickapoo could decide who wins the final Ozark Conference title on Jan. 30.
"This tournament gave us the ability to see what we have to build on going forward when you play these types of teams," Epps said. "Just everything that happened this weekend in that first game is only going to prepare us going forward."
Glendale hopes to build off Tournament of Champions experience
The Falcons hope they can take their short-falls from playing in the Tournament of Champions and improve heading into the remainder of the regular season.
Glendale won't have to play a team like Paul VI again. It's had the opportunity to go up against two of the state's best like Vashon and Central. Head coach Brian McTague hopes it will make them better.
"We were right there tonight but we kind of shot our toes off," McTague said. "If we take care of our business, we would have had a chance to win the game."
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Glendale improved from 21 turnovers against Central the first time the two played to just eight on Saturday. However, layups weren't falling as they went 11 for 40 at shots near the rim.
Amare Witham scored 14 points and grabbed six rebounds. Senior Ta'Veaion Washington scored 10 points and grabbed 11 boards. Mar'Kel Houston scored 12 points with eight rebounds.
"This didn't go our way like we would've wanted it to game-wise but I know they're going to look back on this someday and be grateful that they were able to be a part of it," McTague said. "Once you get out of here and get away from it, it becomes more special to you."
Glendale now heads into the rest of its season with the most challenging of its Ozark Conference games to be played in February. The Falcons host Central on Feb. 2 before going to Kickapoo a week later. They host Parkview on Feb. 20.
Glendale, Central, Kickapoo, Nixa, Ozark and Republic are among the eight teams that will play in the Class 6, District 5 postseason tournament.
"This was a wonderful opportunity to come out here and play against the top teams all around the country," junior guard Anthony Fletcher said. "I think it's definitely a learning experience and it shows what we need to work on in the gym when we carry out our season."
Wyatt D. Wheeler is a reporter and columnist with the Springfield News-Leader. You can contact him at 417-371-6987, by email at wwheeler@news-leader.com or X at @WyattWheeler_NL.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield Central beats Glendale at Tournament of Champions
