Defending state champion Central loses in WIAA state semifinals
MADISON — No chance to repeat as state champions for the Central High School boys basketball team.
Up against sixth-ranked Milwaukee Washington, the No. 2-ranked Red Raiders significantly cooled off in the second half, losing 70-58 at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Central (23-3), which won state last year, shot just 40.4 percent from the field (19-for-47) and 4-for-12 from beyond the arc. The Red Raiders turned it over 15 times to the Purgolders’ 11.
In a 2nd half stretch, the Red Raiders went more than 5 minutes, 30 seconds without a field goal.
Johnny Davis scored 17 (4-for-11 FGs, 9-for-10 FTs), while Terrance Thompson added 13 (5-6 FG) and David Hayden added 12 (4-12 FGs) for Central.
Milwaukee Washington (24-3) got 16 points each from Michael Foster Jr. and Jordan Dinsmore. Deontay Long, who sparked some controversy over his recent felony conviction, added 14.
The Purgolders, who outrebounded Central 29-27, shot 27-for-54 from the field and 4 of 13 from beyond the arc.
