By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Every time they take the court, the Central Bulldogs are looking to make a statement.
Through nine games this season, one message has become clear: This Central team is legit.
The Bulldogs (8-1 overall) blasted Ozark 76-53 on Friday night at The Pit in downtown Springfield.
Senior Sterling Vinson (18) and sophomore Keion Epps (15) led the scoring for the Bulldogs, who tallied 12 3-pointers as a team.
“Every game that we can win, it’s kind of a statement game,” said Central coach Jordan Epps. “That’s what I’ve been telling these kids. Every time we step on the floor, we’re making a statement this year. I think we made a big statement against Ozark tonight.”
With the win, Central ends an 11-game losing streak to Ozark that began in December of 2009.
Coach Epps said he didn’t disclose the losing streak to his players before the game.
“We don’t bring up the streaks or anything like that in pregame,” he said. “We let our public address announcer know and he made the announcement after the game. We try to keep that stuff away from the kids so they don’t have anything else over their heads.
“I know there’s a lot of teams that have a big winning (streak) against us, teams we haven’t beat in a long time, so just trying to end those streaks this year is not only big for this team but also Central as a whole.”
Ten players scored for Central on the night. The Bulldogs, carried by balanced scoring, have scored at least 60 points in all but one game this season.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
“Most of our games, we’ve had different leading scorers,” Jordan Epps said. “Just having that balance offensively helps out defensively, too.”
While Central scorched the nets again Friday night, the Bulldogs were equally impressive on defense.
Central seized control of the game by smothering Ozark’s ball-handlers, which led to turnovers, fastbreak points and a sizable lead.
“I take pride in defense. That’s my side of the ball,” Vinson said. “I’d rather play defense than go score because our offense is always going to be there.”
The Bulldogs led by 12 after the first quarter and 47-25 at halftime. Central’s lead swelled to 30 – turbo clock territory – in the third quarter before the Bulldogs pulled their starters in the fourth.
“We have the guards, we have the athletes. If we can speed teams up, it usually works out in our favor,” Jordan Epps said.
It’s early, but Central hasn’t fielded a boys’ basketball team this good since it won districts in 2009. That was also the last time the Bulldogs finished with a winning record.
“We made a really big statement tonight,” Vinson said. “Not everyone likes to see Central win. People are so used to seeing us lose. Now we’re winning.”
The key to Central’s success so far?
“Staying together,” Vinson said. “We play together as a family. We have a bond.”
Cohen George, a 6’9” sophomore, led Ozark with 16 points.
The Tigers (2-5 overall) return to action on Tuesday night at home against Kickapoo.
Next week, Central will have a chance to avenge its only loss of the season thus far. Undefeated Nixa (7-0 overall) comes to The Pit on Tuesday night.
Nixa beat Central 67-56 at the Willard Tournament two weeks ago.
“Our guys have had this next game circled for a while now,” said Epps, who graduated from Nixa in 2012. “They’re excited to have (Nixa) here at The Pit. I think the atmosphere will be great. It’s going to be an exciting time with two of the best teams in the area going at it.”
Central 76, Ozark 53
Ozark 14 11 9 19 — 53
Central 26 21 15 14 — 76
Ozark (2-5 overall) – George 16, Sutherland 12, Whatley 9, Roberts 7, Engel 4, Ballard 3, Borders 2
Central (8-1 overall) – Vinson 18, Epps 15, Starks-Fewell 10, Wells 8, Lawrie 6, Sanford 5, Wells 4, Spears 4, McShane 3, Walkers 3
