Trailblazers pull away early in win over Chokers

The Centralia College men's team built an early lead and never looked back against Grays Harbor on Wednesday, cruising to a comfortable 68-47 home victory.

The Trailblazers opened the game on an 11-2 run, and they allowed just 13 points in the entire first half while building a 22-point lead.

The second half was more even, but Centralia College was able to sustain its lead and not let the Chokers get any closer than 17.

Maximus Holliman finished with a team-high 15 points along with four rebounds and three assists, Luke Brewer added 13 points and six rebounds, and Julian Ibarra also hit double-figures in scoring with 10 points.

Shay Brannon added seven points, 10 rebounds, and four steals, while Javonte Walls, Clay Morgan, and Tucker Lowber each added five points.

Ahren Bee-Richards added three, Andrew Collins added two points, four rebounds, four assists, and a pair of steals, Quinton Robinson added two points of his own, and Terrell Sanders tallied one.

CC (15-9, 5-5 NWAC West) will head north to face Highline in a critical NWAC matchup on Saturday. Due to Highline's loss to South Puget Sound on Wednesday night, the Trailblazers and Thunderbirds are now tied for the league's fourth and final postseason spot.

The Trailblazers won the first meeting, 99-97, in overtime in Centralia on Jan. 17.