No. 4 Parkview fended off multiple challenges from Centennial and advanced to the second round of the state tournament with a 59-50 home win over the Knights on Friday.
Genesis Perrymond had 15 points to the lead the Panthers, who will face the Woodstock-Mountain View winner on Monday.
Centennial hit eight 3-pointers, but was undone by 22 turnovers, most coming against Parkview's press. Jada Triplett had a game-high 19 points, including five 3-pointers, for the Knights, who set a school record with 19 wins this season.
Parkview led for the majority of the game, but wasn’t able to put away the Knights until the fourth quarter. Centennial got within five twice early in the fourth quarter, but Perrymond hit a 3-pointer and point guard Dominique Leonidas made key plays on both ends of the court to squash the Knights’ rally.
“This was step one in a lot of ways,” said Parkview coach Kirk Call. “Obviously, it’s the first round of the tournament. But also, to make a run in the state tournament, you have to win one game when someone plays really well and you don’t play your best. I think we did that tonight.”
Triplett hit three of her 3-pointers in the first four minutes of the second quarter, as Centennial grabbed the lead. Perrymond, who is coming back from a broken collarbone suffered in early January, answered with a 3-pointer to give the Panthers the lead back.
Leonidas scored on a pair of nifty drives, and Perrymond shook off a hard foul to make two free throws with 0.6 seconds left second quarter, capping a 10-0 Parkview run to end the first half.
Triplett closed out the third quarter with another 3-pointer. Parkview led 44-39, heading into the fourth quarter.
Centennial’s 2-3 zone gave Parkview trouble for much of the game. The Panthers tried to force-feed post Victoria Harris, but couldn’t get much done on the inside. In the fourth quarter, however, the Knights were forced to extend the zone. Harris took advantage and scored off a good pass from Leonidas that extended the lead to nine with less than two minutes to play.
“I’m really proud of our girls,” said Centennial coach Robert White. “This group set a school record for wins last season, then went out and did it again this season. Really proud of this group.”
Brianna Perry added 12 points for the Knights.
Makenna Pouengue had 12, and Raven Johnson added 10 points for the Panthers.
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