Central’s rebellious youth, DeSoto’s upset of hosts starts Steighorst Invite on KJFF

(Hillsboro) The 2020 Gene Steighorst Invitational started with a dominant performance by some young guns and a gritty upset for a veteran team.

The Central Rebels knocked off the Windsor Owls 65-39 and the DeSoto Dragons upended the Hillsboro Hawks 61-55 Monday on KJFF.

Central started the night by racing out to a 17-2 lead, and while the Owls would scrap to try and keep the game within striking distance, Windsor couldn’t contain the inside-out combo of Jobe Bryant and Tyce Laubinger.

The senior Laubinger scored 12 of his 16 points in the first half, but the freshman Bryant shut the door with 10 of his team-high 18 points in the third quarter.

Rebels head coach Brad Gross says Bryant’s potential is limitless.

Central improves to 3-0 while Windsor drops to 2-2.

In game number two, DeSoto closed the first quarter on an 8-0 run to lead 15-12 and never gave the lead back.

Despite Hillsboro’s best efforts, senior Aidan Blair kept making big plays to steady the ship.

Blair had 17 points in the first half and finished with a game-high 23.

Fellow senior Jordan Mertens scored 14 of his 20 points in the second half.

Head coach Zeb Hammond says it wasn’t a perfect performance, but his guys made up for it in energy.

Now 2-2, DeSoto will face Central Friday night in the semifinals.

Hillsboro will look to bounce back from falling to 1-3 when they face Windsor Wednesday evening in the consolation bracket.

To hear the full game broadcasts again, click play below.