San Diego Reader

When it comes to playing on the same level as state playoff-caliber teams, Hoover still has some work to do. In a game Saturday night that served as a measuring stick for the state playoffs, the Cardinals lost 80-68 at home to talented, athletic Centennial (Compton).

“Right now, they’re the better basketball team. They showed it today because they played together really well. They were dialed in defensively and offensively,” said Hoover head coach Ollie Goulston. “We had some moments where not everyone was on the same page and it hurt us.”

The game was fast-paced from the opening tip and Hoover took the early advantage, leading 20-17 after the first quarter. The Cardinals opened up an eight-point lead early in the second when Centennial responded with 16 straight points to swing the momentum.

“There were stretches in the first half and stretches in the second half when we weren’t all on the same page,” Goulston said. “And you can’t beat good teams like not – not at the state level.”

The Apaches hit four threes in the second quarter and led by nine at the half. That hot shooting freed up the inside for Centennial (19-5) after halftime, as the Apaches were able to get to the rim and stretch their lead to as much as 15 in the third quarter.

“Their team is more perimeter-oriented and that’s why late in the game they got to the basket a lot, because we were focused on them on the perimeter,” Goulston said.

In the fourth quarter, Hoover played better but could not get closer than 10. A two-handed dunk from Centennial guard Deonte Burton punctuated the Apaches’ 12-point win.

“You have to have the intensity and play hard for 32 minutes – that’s what they did better than us,” Goulston said. “Tonight we played about 26 good minutes and six bad. That six bad cost us the game.”

For Hoover (19-5), the loss was their first since Jan. 2, snapping an eight-game winning streak. Goulston said his players got a little bit too caught up in the big game atmosphere.

“We’re a good basketball team. Everybody needs to show up and play,” Goulston said. “If we have one or two guys not ready to go, not caught up in this atmosphere, then it’s tough.”

Center Angelo Chol led Hoover with 21 points and guards Dame Ndiaye (19 points) and Chris Jones (12 points). For Centennial, guard Kevin Smith had a game-high 23 points and was one of four starters in double figures leading the Apaches to their seventh straight victory.

Centennial (Compton) – 80 (17-26-21-16)

Kevin Smith 23, Burton 20, Hawkins 18, Hammock 11, Davis 4 (starters) Turner 4

Hoover – 68 (20-14-14-20)

Chol 21, Ndiaye 19, Jones 12, Ingram 5, Wells 2 (starters) Lathan 4, Basey 3, Moore 2

Hoover guard Dame Ndiaye shoots over Centennial guard Deonte Burton