Centralia Takes Home Salem Invitational Title vs Rival Mt. Vernon

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Salem Invitational Tournament championship game was a familiar match up between rivals Centralia and Mt. Vernon on Saturday afternoon.&nbsp; Both teams are ranked in the PHI Top 40 in the state regardless of class.&nbsp; It was a slow start for both teams, but the game along with intensity then started to pick up.&nbsp; Centralia went on to win the game 45-31.&nbsp; We break it all down here!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bratton is LEGIT 2028 Hoops Prospect</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is a lot of talk about Centralia's Goewey as a legit two sport candidate at the next level.&nbsp; Top 20 wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='2826261' first='Kenny' last='Bratton'] made a statement in the two games we saw at the SIT that he is a guy that can play hoops at the next level as well if he chooses that route.&nbsp; The long and lanky sophomore wing is super athletic and can defend all over the floor.&nbsp; His offensive skill set has improved so much over the last year.&nbsp; Consistent shooter from the outside draining spot up threes at a high clip including three in this game.&nbsp; Crisp handles getting downhill and into his pull up.&nbsp; Also crashes the offensive glass.&nbsp; He had 20 points in the victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defense and Depth for Orphans Assists Bratton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Orphans defense was dominant in this one as they created turnovers and contested shots all over the floor.&nbsp; What you have to like about this group is even when their best player only scored 2 points they still win a championship game against a team ranked in the PHI Top 40 because they have so many weapons.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2125643' first='Jaxson' last='Hancock'] is a junior point guard that knows how to play the game and make sound decisions notching 6 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2751229' first='Michael' last='Organ'] is a lights out perimeter shooter who loves to let it fly from the corners banging in three for 9 points.&nbsp; The veteran leader on this squad is [player_tooltip player_id='2894776' first='Devin' last=''] Meier who got to the foul line not missing a single one for 6 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rams 2027 Duo Barnes and Shelby Lead Way for Mt Vernon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was the 2027 pair of [player_tooltip player_id='2455403' first='David' last='Barnes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='3430205' first='Lucas' last='Shelby'] that carried the load for Mt. Vernon in this game.&nbsp; Barnes is a junk yard dog wing/undersized four that plays with physicality and quickness around the hoop.&nbsp; Goes through defenders for finishes, spin moves, and had a sweet tip in at the buzzer to close the first half as he scored 14 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='3430205' first='Lucas' last='Shelby'] has made a name for himself this season as a rangy guard that gets to the hoop for acrobatic layups, can pass it, and is a capable spot up shooter as he went for 10 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>State's Most Underrated Rivalry?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are a lot of great rivalries around the state, but this is toward the top of the list.&nbsp; I have seen these squads go at it for 30+ years and it is always a competitive game, intense environment, and the fans do not like each other.&nbsp; That was evident with some asked to leave the premises toward the end of the contest.&nbsp; On a Saturday with bad weather, it was an electric atmosphere at B.E. Gum Gymnasium between two hated rivals!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->