Centennial vs Gilbert 5A Final recap

On Tuesday, March 1st I attended the 5A Final with Centennial versus Gilbert at Arizona Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum in Phx. AZ.

Game Notes:

The game started a little slow at 10-all after the 1st quarter. More the same in the 2nd qtr with a Tigers 25-20 lead at halftime and the 3rd quarter was still a grind to score points. Gage Galbreath Gage Galbreath 6'3" | PF Centennial | 2024 State AZ played well for Centennial with 7 early points and it was evenly distributed for Gilbert.   

It was only 33-27 for a small Gilbert lead heading into the 4th quarter.  

It was a 39-30 Gilbert lead and then Centennial proceeded to score 16 straight points. Very uncharastically Gilbert missed all their free throws down the stretch and turned it over a little. Centennial meanwhile made all their free throws ( Jake Lifgren Jake Lifgren 6'1" | CG Centennial | 2022 State AZ ) to ice the game and a layup plus a big 3 by Emery Young Emery Young 6'4" | SG Centennial | 2023 State AZ .

46-39 Centennial won it. 

Some interesting stats in the game. Centennial had 12 points off turnovers compared to only two for Gilbert. Three Centennial players scored 42 of the teams 46 with only two points off the bench from Trenten Lavender Trenten Lavender 6'0" | CG Centennial | 2022 AZ .

Lavender had missed around two full years of basketball and it was a nice moment in the game. He played only two total mins and scored a basket. His Dad, being the head coach, must of been proud and pleased he scored! 

Some of the standouts from the game:

Jake Lifgren Jake Lifgren 6'1" | CG Centennial | 2022 State AZ Centennial 

Their team leader had a slower start with only one transition layup and made one created three. He has a quick release and is crafty to score it in the lane. He collected a few steals in the game and the Tigers tried to get the ball out of his hands and he made them pay with five assists and only one turnover. When the game was tight down the stretch, he made a quick burst into the lane for the score and then proceeded to make all six free throws to ice the game. He finished with 17 points, five assists and two steals. Point Loma is getting a good one. 

Emery Young Emery Young 6'4" | SG Centennial | 2023 State AZ Centennial 

A tough wing seemed to be everywhere on the glass and made his biggest 3 of his early career. With 48 seconds to play down two points, Emery hit a catch-3 to take their first lead at 40-39. He corralled 12 rebounds with 11 points. He did a little bit of everything with three assists, one block and two steals. He guarded the 1-5 for them and can play the 1-4 for them. He scored on tip-ins besides his catch-3 and was the perfect compliment to Lifgren.   

Abe Rangel Abe Rangel 6'0" | PG Centennial | 2022 State AZ Centennial 

You won’t see it in the stat book what he meant to the team Tuesday night. He only scored two points with two assists, six rebounds and one steal. He had a left hand layup after his burst. But it is his defense that makes him invaluable to the teams success. He slowed down all their guards pestering them the second they get the ball. He made plays for others with his passing but he truly allows his teammates to get all the shine and almost take a few breathers on the defensive end.  

Gage Galbreath Gage Galbreath 6'3" | PF Centennial | 2024 State AZ Centennial 

Not many played better then Gage. He scored it inside as he carved out space with his strength, girth and touch. He has a drop step and uses either hand. He also stepped out and hit a 3. He has sneaky athleticism to grab rebounds and block shots. He scored 14 points with two blocks. 

Dallan Lilly C 6’5 2023 Centennial 

I feel I needed to mention him since size is so hard to come by. He has broad shoulders and comes with a little bounce. He matched the physicality of Reed Shuey Reed Shuey 6'5" | PF Gilbert | 2022 State AZ and grabbed tough rebounds in traffic with two blocks. He won’t look to score too often but he will allow Emery and Gage to play more their natural positions.   

Nikko Pentelute Nikko Pentelute 6'1" | CG Gilbert | 2022 State AZ Gilbert

A talented guard scored it every way. He has the catch-3, the pull-up from mid-range and has multiple counter moves in the post. He will take a charge, collect steals and throws darts to teammates. He didn’t shoot it at a high percentage but his presence was felt all game long. He scored 8 points, 5 rebounds, two assists and one steal.   

KJ Perry KJ Perry 6'2" | SG Hillcrest Prep | 2024 CA-S Gilbert

An athletic wing loves the mid-range game and is a quick second jumper to spring up and get on the glass and score on put backs. He is quick laterally to defend and a stud in transition.  He does many little hings to help his team. He scored seven points with five rebounds. 

Reed Shuey Reed Shuey 6'5" | PF Gilbert | 2022 State AZ Gilbert

The star of their team for the night was definitely Reed. He had a rare double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. He is a little undersized but has great strength, long arms and some pop in his legs. He has a drop step he uses often and can elbow his way closer to the rim, plus he ran the floor and scored on transition layups. He is headed to Queens/NY for volleyball next year. 

Eli Johnson Eli Johnson 5'10" | CG Gilbert | 2022 State AZ Gilbert

The veteran combo guard got the nod in the chip. He has arguably the best shooting stroke on the team from the 3pt line. He is best off the catch but he created his own 3 with very little space and it had range. He can rebound fairly well for his size and can make a read and is physical on the ball defensively. He finished with six points, four rebounds, one assist and one steal.  

Isaiah Bronson Isaiah Bronson 6'2" | PG Bella Vista Prep | 2024 State AZ Gilbert

The lone sophomore who gets quality minutes this year is Bronson. He had some ups and downs but had a few impressive sequences. He hit a deep-3 off the catch and then worked off the pick and roll and chose to rise up from mid-range and scored. The lefty can change speeds and uses the escape dribble to control the pace.