Centennial girls basketball enters postseason with confidence

The 14-game win streak may be over, but Centennial’s composure hasn’t gone anywhere.  

Sitting at 18-7 overall and 9-1 in district play, the Hawks enter the postseason as the 5A District 3 champions, carrying something even more powerful than momentum—belief.  

From a challenging early stretch to one of the longest winning streaks in program history, Centennial built its season on leadership, defensive intensity, and a standard that extends far beyond the scoreboard.  

“We have great leadership,” head coach Matt Abney said. “They play for each other. They really get along and I think that carries on to the court.”  

That foundation begins with the seniors, including point guard Bella Walter, who helps set the tone on both ends of the floor. 

“We kind of push each other every day and I feel like a role model,” Walter said. “Especially being a senior, I’m older and I don’t have much time left.”  

For Walter, this postseason represents more than just another opportunity, it is the culmination of the many years she invested in the program.  

“It means a lot,” she said. “I’m really just proud of us.” 

Centennial’s growth became evident after a 4-6 start against a demanding early schedule. The Hawks found their rhythm, strung together 14 consecutive wins, and established themselves as one of the most consistent teams in the district.  

“I feel like we proved our spot and now they’re talking about us,” Walter said. 

Part of that rise has been balance. Centennial featured multiple scoring threats throughout the season, making it difficult for opponents to defend. 

“It’s nice to have balanced scoring because you never know on what night who’s going to score for you,” Abney said. “Our opponents really can’t focus on one player.”  

But when asked to define his team’s identity, Abney alluded to the defensive side of the floor as being their DNA.  

That defensive mindset is what has kept Centennial competitive, even when outside shots haven’t fallen.  

Sophomore guard Rizaya Cash has embraced the team’s unselfish approach, contributing on both ends, while also keeping the bigger picture in focus.  

“I like seeing my teammates get points as well,” Cash said. “It motivates me to keep pushing.” 

That trust that is emphasized ultimately runs through the entire roster. That is what helps the team elevate to heights they never could imagine.  

“I can trust if I pass the ball out, they’ll make a three, they’ll drive to the basket, they’ll do what they need to do,” Walter said. “And I know I can do it when I need to too.”  

Even in its regular season finale, when the win streak came to an end, Centennial’s focus remained forward. Practice shifted toward sharpening the details and correcting the little mistakes.  

“It was more shooting,” Cash said. “We’ve been missing a lot of our outside shots. And just playing harder.”  

Rather than dwell on that one result, the Hawks have centered their attention on the bigger picture—a chance at a deep playoff run, and the ultimate goal of playing at The Pit. 

“They’re locked in,” Abney said. “This has been our goal to be a district champion since last April, and we’ve achieved that. But we’re not satisfied, we want to get as far as we can in the state playoffs.”  

That unique mindset, locked in but not satisfied, may just define Centennial’s postseason more than any statistic.  

“We feel a lot closer,” Walter said. “We trust each other a lot more. We all have each other’s backs and we’re all just trying to win the same thing.”  

Now, with the postseason play ahead, the Hawks' step forward is not defined by one loss, but by months of growth, accountability, and belief. They are determined to see how far this season can go. The district tournament was contested this week, with the girl's championship game scheduled for Friday night, Feb 27. The state championship tournament tips off March 6.