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Centerville girls break spell with win over Alter

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By Jeff Ermann, Contributing Writer Updated 2:10 AM Saturday, December 31, 2011

KETTERING — Adam Priefer has had his share of success in 10 years as Centerville’s girls basketball coach — a couple of 19-4 seasons and a regional final in 2003, for instance. But during that span, Centerville’s rivalry with Alter has been one-sided, with the Elks falling in each of the eight meetings.

Heading into Friday night’s meeting, though, Priefer and his players had a feeling this might be their year to knock off the Knights. And thanks to do-it-all junior Alex Henning and their smothering defense, the visiting Elks did just that, winning 60-54.

Centerville raced to an early lead, Henning scored 20 points and the Elks (8-1) led most of the night, ending their drought against Alter while adding a marquee win to their hot start.

“It’s a big win. Any time you beat Alter it’s a big win. They’re a hard team to play,” Priefer said. “This is our first time going into New Year’s 8-1.”

The Elks admitted afterward to being extra fired up because they believed they were poised to beat the Knights finally, but their excitement didn’t show up in the form of early jitters. They claimed an 8-0 lead while holding Alter (6-2) without a field goal for nearly five minutes and never wavered when their lead turned into a nine-point second-quarter deficit.

“We wanted to get this one for Priefer,” said Henning, whose back-to-back baskets late in the third period permanently reclaimed the lead for the Elks.

Centerville used its quickness to cause turnovers and didn’t allow a field goal until nearly midway through the decisive fourth quarter. Center Madison Rittinger and guards Maggie Schutter and Bethany Krause combined for 27 points for the Elks. Alter guard Allison Bockrath scored 21.

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