Quincy boys bow out of Districts with loss to athletic Centreville squad

UNION CITY, MI. - The Quincy Orioles saw their 2022-23 boys basketball season come to a tough end Monday night in the first round of the MHSAA Division Three District tournament as the Orioles ran into a very athletic and skilled Centreville Bulldogs squad. Centreville used a big second quarter to turn a close game on its head, with the Bulldogs going on to take the 46-26 win.

“Our defense was solid for the most part, as Centreville came into the game averaging over 62 points per contest,” said Quincy head coach Scott Rodesiler. “However, turnovers and missed shots around the basket were the difference in the game.”

Centreville controlled things very early in the contest, leading 10-4 with four minutes left in the first quarter. Quincy dug deep and started to mount a solid comeback, taking advantage of a handful of Bulldog turnovers to roll off a 6-0 run over the next minute of play, closing the score to 10-9 with three minutes left in the first quarter.

After a three pointer from Centreville pushed the lead to 13-9 with less than a minute to go, Quincy senior point guard Sam Sawyer drilled a long two-point jumper at the buzzer to close the score to 13-11 after one quarter of play.

The second quarter belonged to Centreville, as the Bulldogs used their speed and athleticism to outpace the Orioles. Centreville rode a hot quarter from senior Roman Robinson, who scored nine points in the second period, to outpace Quincy 13-2 throughout the second quarter to build a 26-13 lead at the half. Quincy’s offense was hampered by some tough missed shots around the bucket as the Oriole attack just could not find its footing.

Centreville came roaring out of the gate to start the third, using a quick three point play the ole fashioned way to build on their lead. Again, the Quincy offense struggled early as missed shots down low and a few costly turnovers allowed Centreville to build on their lead. Quincy’s offense was silent for just over six minutes of play throughout the third quarter, allowing the Bulldogs to extend their elad to 20 points.

Led again by Robinson, who scored seven points in the third quarter, the Bulldogs went on to outscore Quincy 11-5 throughout the third to build a 37-18 lead heading to the fourth quarter.

Quincy made some adjustments and started out the fourth quarter with a deep three from Sawyer, which closed the score to 37-21. Quincy would get no closer however as the Bulldogs went on to outscore the Orioles 9-8 throughout the fourth, paced by eight points from Micah Lemmings, to find the final score of 46-26. Quincy’s fourth quarter effort was paced by Sawyer with five points.

“Centreville is a quick, athletic team that covered a lot of ground in their 2-3 zone,” said Rodesiler. “Their quickness and length gave us some problems on the offensive end.”

Quincy was led on the night by senior guard Sam Sawyer who scored 11 points to go along with two rebounds, four steals and one assist in his final game as an Oriole.

Also adding to the Quincy effort was Ryan Kempter with four points, three rebounds, two steals and one assist; Ashtyn Morris with two points, nine rebounds, three blocks and one steal; Grant Carter with two points, five rebounds, one steal and one assist; Jimmy Maynard with two points, two rebounds, and three steals; Tre’Von Bodley with two points, four rebounds, two blocks and one steal; Brandon Miner with two points and one steal; Riley Miner with one point, one rebound and one assist; Nash Fitton with three rebounds; and Corey Turner with one steal and one assist.

Centreville’s attack only saw four players score in the win, led by Roman Robinson who poured in 20 points. Also hitting double digits for the Bulldogs was Micah Lemmings with 16 points while the duo of Corey Carpenter and Gavin Bunning each added five points.

With the win the Centerville Bulldogs improve to 14-8 overall on the season and now advance on to the MHSAA District semifinals to face off with the top seeded Reading Rangers. The two teams will meet Wednesday at Union City High School beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Quincy meanwhile sees their 2022-23 season come to an end with a record of 10-12 overall on the year and 5-9 in the Big 8. The Orioles will now say goodbye to five seniors in Ryder Schmachtenberger, Sam Sawyer, Riley Miner, Tre’Von Bodley and Ashtyn Morris.

“The Quincy Basketball Program wishes them all the best of luck in their futures,” added Rodesiler.

This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Quincy boys bow out of Districts with loss to athletic Centreville squad