For the first time in program history, Centerville can call themselves state girls basketball champs! The Tornadoes defeated Arlington 62-44 in the state title game on Saturday night in Rapid City.
Centerville came out hot, shooting 54% in the opening quarter. Things continued to click in the second quarter as well as it was 34-14 going into the break.
“We told them that team is going to amp up the aggressiveness, they’re going to turn the press on, we’ve got to be ready for that, and I think our kids showed a lot of poise,” said Centerville head coach Tucker Tornberg. “Kudos to Arlington, the press was tough on us late, but we made enough plays, we made enough adjustments, and our kids have done that all year long. This team has handled so much adversity, and what they showed all tournament long was mental toughness.”
The second half was a lot of the same, the Tornadoes continually found ways to put the ball in the basket. Arlington did outscore Centerville in the fourth quarter, but it was too little too late. In the closing moments, both coaches emptied the benches, and the celebration began for the Tornadoes.
“It means a lot. We put in a lot of time as coaches. I have an awesome coaching staff. We take a lot of time away from our families. My beautiful wife is expecting in June, we’ll have our first kid,” told Tornberg. “So, to have this moment before that, and to be able to partake in this together, it’s pretty special. I’m just so happy for our kids.”
Centerville was led by four key players – MaKayla Heesch, Althea Gust, Lillie Eide, and Emma Marshall. The four of them combined for 54-points in the game.
The Tornadoes beat Warner in the quarterfinals, came out on top in a tough battle with Lyman in the semifinals, and then played arguably their best game of the year in the championship to beat Arlington.
“Well the first game we were really nervous. We didn’t know what to expect at all. This is our first state tournament, so we had to get use to the atmosphere and the environment, but after that we just knew we could do it and we could take it all the way,” exclaimed MaKayla Heesch.
Lillie Eide also commented on the teams slow start to the tournament on Thursday, but that they fed off the energy of their fans, and eventually found their stride.
“We just got carried by our fans, and then the rest of it we just went out and had fun, and we had nothing to lose. We gave it our all and it was awesome,” said Eide. “Our community is amazing, and all these little kids, having them watch us do this is crazy. They just love us so much, and it’s so fun to us.”
This is Centerville’s first ever state girls basketball title. The Tornadoes did go to the state championship game in 2006, but lost to Mitchell Christian. Centerville has three seniors on this year’s roster – MaKayla Heesch, Lillie Eide, and Kiylee Westra.
