Rebels explode in second half to trounce Trinity

Southern Sports & Travel

The Class AA top ranked Central Private Rebels didn’t perform like the number one team in its’ class for the first four minutes of the opening quarter last night against sixth ranked Trinity at the South AA tournament at Brookhaven Academy.

After seeing Trinity take an 8-7 lead halfway through the first quarter Central Private displayed why they are deserving of their ranking as they went on to hammer Trinity 72-45 in a season elimination matchup.

(Above) Central Private center Liam Thomas readies for one of his 15 blocked shots

Simpson Anderson showed why he is one of the premier players in the entire MAIS as the senior scored a game high 31 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.

With the win Central Private (22-3) advances to Friday’s semi-final round where they will take on fifth ranked Simpson who narrowly avoided a second straight South State exit by defeating Oak Forest 72-70 in overtime last night.

Trinity got the start they wanted as the Saints shot out to an early 6-2 lead three minutes into the game but that strong start crumbled rapidly.

Simpson Anderson nailed his first of six 3-pointers on the night to cut the Trinity lead to one point at 6-5 and after Trinity’s Garrett Vinson hit a jumper from the elbow the Rebels went to work.

Central Private 6’10” center Liam Thomas canned two free throws and Syrshawn Fitch converted on a transition basket to give the Rebels the lead at 9-8 with 3:17 left in the opening quarter of play.

Jaydyn Cohen drained a 3-pointer from the corner and Simpson Anderson hit from the deep corner following a Trinity turnover to cap a 10-2 run and give Central Private a 15-8 lead with 2:49 remaining in the quarter.

(Above) Central Private's Simpson Anderson (#5) pulls down one of his 12 rebounds

Trinity stayed within striking distance and a Dre McCoy slam dunk kept the Saints close at 17-12 at the 1:11 mark but Central Private was undaunted as the Rebels closed the quarter with a Thomas Kelly offensive rebound and put back and a Simpson Anderson steal and thunderous slam to give the Rebels a 21-12 lead heading into the second quarter.

After seeing the deficit grow to 30-17 just over four minutes into the second quarter Trinity gained some much needed momentum and would close the half with a 9-3 run to pull to within seven points at 33-26. The Saints’s run was led by senior point guard Tanner Cage and Garrett Vinson.

Trinity capitalized on sloppy play from Central Private during the first two minutes of the third quarter.

The Saints pulled to within three points at 33-30 as Brandon Brooks scored on an in-bounds play following a Rebel turnover and Brooks followed with an offensive rebound and score after Central Private had turned the basketball over three times in those two minutes.

Central Private’s response following a Henry Gantz timeout? A 22-6 run to blow the contest wide open.

(Above) Liam Thomas of Central Private shoots over Trinity's Dre McCoy (#12)

Two Simpson Anderson driving lay-ins quickly extended the lead to 37-30. That was followed by a 3-pointer from the corner from senior point guard Jaydyn Cohen and then Simpson Anderson forced a Trinity timeout after nailing a deep 3-pointer from the wing to push the Rebel lead to 43-32 with 3:59 left in the third quarter.

Trinity would respond coming out of the timeout with a much needed basket as Tanner Cage converted from close range but the Central Private onslaught continued.

Jaydyn Cohen hit another 3-pointer from the corner as the Rebels finished out the remaining 3:14 with a powerful 12-2 run to take their biggest lead at 55-36 heading into the final quarter of play.

Trinity was unable to recover and found out much like other Central Private opponents that driving the lane looking for easy baskets would be a rare occurrence with Liam Thomas blocking shot after shot and frustrating Trinity’s big men.

Central Private would twice extend their lead to 27 points in the final quarter and closed the game with a 14-5 run to complete an impressive 72-45 win and qualify for next week’s Class AA State Tournament to be held at Canton Academy.

Central Private was led by Simpson Anderson’s (Photo left) 31 points and 12 rebounds, junior Thomas Kelly added 15 points, Jaydyn Cohen had 12, Liam Thomas was one basket short of yet another triple-double as the senior center finished with 8 points, 12 rebounds and 15 blocked shots and Syrshawn Fitch had 6.

Trinity finished their season at 20-7 and was led by senior Tanner Cage with 12 points, Garrett Vinson and Brandon Brooks with 10 each, Wyatt Boothe 5, Dre McCoy 4 and Sky Logan and Carter Smith 2 apiece.

.

Post Game with Central Private Head Coach Henry Gantz