Boys

Roswell has only beaten Centennial twice this century and Friday night, they almost got win number three. Almost. The two teams were deadlocked at 56 after three quarters, but the fourth quarter proved to be all Centennial. Behind seven points from both Malik Woods and Rashaun Burton, the Knights were able to outscore Roswell 25-14 in the final period to come away with an 81-70 region win. It was an ugly game with over 50 fouls called and 64 free throws attempted between the two teams.

First-year Centennial coach Joe Eineker wasn't thrilled with how his team played, but he was happy to get the win. "I'm not sure how encouraged I feel right now," Eineker said after the game. "But it's a region win and we'll take it."

Two minutes into the game, it looked like Centennial was going to run Roswell out of the gym. The Knights scored the game's first five points while quickly jumping out to a 12-2 lead. However, Roswell silenced the home Centennial crowd with a 20-9 first quarter closing run that put the Hornets on top 22-21.

Sean Brennan's phenomenal free throw shooting kept the Hornets on top for most of the second quarter. Brennan hit 5-of-6 free throws in the period and 15-of-16 for the game. Brennan's final free throw of the quarter gave Roswell their largest lead of the game at 33-29, however the Knights would end the half on a 14-4 run; a run that included a buzzer beating 3-pointer by Jaylen Owens.

Roswell fought back from 10 down in the first quarter, in the third, they fought back from six down to tie the game. "Roswell did a real good job of never quitting and fighting back," Eineker said of his opponent. The Hornets, who trailed 56-53 with time running down in the third quarter, got a 3-pointer from Taylor Birchett with two seconds showing. Birchett's basket tied things up for the seventh time in the game.

Roswell scored the first bucket of the fourth quarter, but after that, it was all Centennial. Specifically Malik Woods. Woods scored seven points during a 12-0 Knight run that turned a 58-56 Roswell lead into a 68-58 Centennial advantage. Roswell would get no closer than seven.

All five of Centennial's starters reached double figures. Wood led the team in scoring with 21 points, he was followed by Nathan Harries who had 15 and Jeffrey Nobles who had 14 while Rashaun Dirton and Jaylen Owens each chipped in 10.

Roswell's Taylor Birchett led all scorers in the game with 23 points, a total that included three 3-pointers. Sean Brennan ended his night with 15 points, all of which came from the charity stripe. Will Hawthorne and Thomas Williams each added 10 for Roswell. Williams also led the team in rebounding as the senior grabbed eight boards.

The loss drops Roswell to 3-1 in region play while Centennial improves to 2-1. The two teams will meet again on February 1. 

Other North Fulton Boys Action:

Chattahoochee 72-55 over South Forsyth
Jaron Blossomgame scores school record 42 points. 

Forsyth Central 65-62 over Johns Creek (OT)

Milton 112-46 over North Forsyth

Mt. Pisgah 63-39 over Holy Innocents 

Girls: Roswell Routs Lady Knights to Stay Undefeated in Region

Friday night at Centennial, Roswell had the two keys to victory: Shanteona and Andreona Keys. The sisters combined for 22 points as the Lady Hornets improved to 4-0 in a region play with a dominating 58-24 win over Centennial. A tenacious Roswell defense limited the Lady Knights to only two points in both the first and third quarters.

The tone of the game was set in the first quarter when Roswell jumped out to a 13-2 lead behind five points from Shelby Barker and four points from Shanteona Keys. Barker knocked down a 3-ball 12 seconds into the game and Roswell never looked back.

The Lady Hornets led by 11 after one quarter and extended the lead to 19-4 midway through the second.