Aaron Johnson and Baran Ali Sagir had big second halves to lead The Woodstock Academy boys’ basketball team to a season-opening, 63-56, win over Plainfield Dec. 19.
Ali Sagir had 10 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter when the Centaurs outscored the Panthers 23-16 to break a 40-40 tie at the end of three quarters.
Johnson scored 11 of his 14 points in the second half while Luke Mathewson added seven of his nine in the second half.
“We had more depth and the fast pace just wore down Plainfield,” said Woodstock Academy coach Aaron Patterson.
Chase Anderson chipped in with 10 points for the Centaurs.
Chris Peasley led Plainfield with 18 points including a pair of 3-pointers. The other big for the Panthers, Markeith Conyers, added 11 including a pair of 3’s.
Girls’ basketball
The Lady Centaurs won for the third time in four games, getting a so-so start, scoring 15 first-quarter points.
But things got better in the second quarter.
The Woodstock Academy reeled off 15 unanswered points to take the momentum and the Centaurs rolled to a 63-33 win Dec. 19 over the Panthers.
The Academy is now 3-1 on the season.
“We were hoping to get off to a great start this season. I feel like in the past we struggled a little bit to get out of the gates,” said Centaurs’ coach Will Fleeton.
Jamie Woods certainly has got out of the gates well.
The senior forward was in double digits for a fourth consecutive game as she finished with 18 points.
“We try to get it inside to her and (Heather) Converse a lot. They probably get more touches than most so she gets a lot of opportunities and (Dec. 19), she took full advantage of them,” Fleeton said.
Aislin Tracey was also in double figures for a first time this season. She finished with 11.
“She was a big stopper on the defensive end like normal. She guarded a few different players and really put the pressure on and then on the offensive end, she had some bright spots. It was a very good game for Aislin Tracey,” Fleeton said.
The Centaurs also played well defensively, holding down Plainfield center Madison Kelley who had eclipsed 20 points in her first two games, to single-digit scoring.
Kaylee Brown and Chloe LaPierre each had eight to lead the Panthers.
Marc Allard
Sports Information Director