Cardinals Defeat Centralia

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By Mark Requet

  The South Shelby Cardinals scored 20 points in the fourth quarter to defeat the Centralia Panthers 59-49 in a Clarence Cannon Conference battle on Saturday afternoon, February 22, 2025, at South Shelby High School.

  Preston Elsen and Cooper Elsen each scored four points in the first quarter to help the Cardinals keep pace with the Panthers.

  Centralia jumped ahead 12-8, but baskets by Pryce Eagan and Noah Wilt to close out the quarter tied the game at 12-12 at the end of one quarter.

  Eli Hatcher and Preston Elsen hit two field goals to open the second quarter and extend the scoring streak to eight straight points, giving the Cardinals a 16-12 lead with

7:01 left.

  Centralia rallied to take a 21-20 lead, but Colt Schmitz hit a three to give South Shelby a 23-21 lead. Draden Black followed with a score and Wilt hit a free throw. Waylen Owens scored to increase the lead to 29-21 with 1:44 left in the half.

  The Cardinals led 31-26 at the half.

  Centralia had a big third quarter, outscoring South Shelby 17-8 to grab a 43-39 lead after three quarters.

  The Cardinals’ offense came alive in the fourth quarter. Hatcher hit a three, followed by a three by Gabe Bowen to give the Cardinals a slim 47-46 lead.

  Cooper Elsen scored seven of the next nine points for the Cardinals who went on a 11-0 run to take a 58-46 lead with 49 seconds left. A 20-6 advantage in the fourth quarter led to a 59-49 win for South Shelby to close out the regular season.

  Preston Elsen led the Cardinals with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Cooper Elsen added 13 points and six rebounds. Wilt finished with eight points and 10 rebounds. Hatcher also added eight points.

  The Cardinals, 16-10 overall and 4-2 in the conference, squared off against Highland on Monday, February 24, at the district tournament at Palmyra High School. With a win, the Cardinals would face the winner of Palmyra/Mark Twain on Wednesday, February 26, beginning at 7:30 p.m.