Spartans earn first win behind Jones' clutch free throws

Keylan Jones led Centennial with 13 points in a 55-51 win over Trinity Leadership

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BURLESON – Keylan Jones scored 13 points as the Centennial Spartans beat the Trinity Leadership Tigers 55-51 to earn their first win of the season Tuesday at Spartan Arena.

Centennial’s sophomore guard Jones made two free throws to give Centennial a two-possession lead with 30 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

Check out the latest on the Lady Spartans:

Centennial (1-7) held a 40-32 lead after outscoring Trinity Leadership (2-4) in the first three quarters before Trinity Leadership outscored Centennial 19-15 in the fourth quarter.

“It started to get away from us for sure, but Keylan Jones really kind of stepped up to the plate and really took care of it for us,” Centennial head coach Trovocia Jackson said after the win. “We love his maturity right now to kind of settle us down, go down there and hit a big free throw for us.”

Jones led Centennial in scoring as he made three of eight field goal attempts and seven of 11 free throws in the win. He also led Centennial with four assists and added four rebounds and a steal.

Junior forward Jared Cox added 11 points and five rebounds for Centennial. Senior guard Iverson Moore added 9 points, 3 assists and a steal. 

Junior guard Gage Miller led Centennial with three three-pointers as he scored 9 points in the win. Senior guard Aidan Hicks led Centennial with six rebounds and dished 3 assists. 

Jackson said it felt good for Centennial to earn their first win of the 2023-24 season and “get that monkey off our back.” He added that winning a game should allow his players to believe in what they’re doing and boost their confidence.

Centennial had a chance to figure out what areas it needed to improve on and give younger players experience in its seven-game losing streak to start the season, Jackson said after the game. 

“Obstacles are great teachers,” Jackson said. “It’s hard to figure out what exactly are your flaws when you’re playing really really good.” 

While no district games have been played yet, Centennial is in eighth place in district.
Centennial is scheduled to play the Johnson Jaguars (3-6) Thursday at 5 p.m. and two more opponents Friday and Saturday in the South San Antonio Tournament before playing Midlothian Heritage (2-4) in its first district game December 5.