Century, Powell Rout El Dorado

Aprile Powell has played against Empire League rival El Dorado the last three years and seen overtime, games won at the last second, and a 5-foot-2 opponent guard her.

But never did Powell, the 6-foot-2 senior center for Century, expect Tuesday’s outcome.

In the matchup that annually decides who wins the league title, Century scored a 50-16 victory over El Dorado. The margin of victory was, in her word, “shocking.”

“I didn’t think we could hold them to 16 points,” said Powell, who scored 22 and pulled down 21 rebounds. “I thought it would be a close game and come down to the last minute.”

That’s the way this rivalry has been. El Dorado (12-4, 1-1) had lost only four league games the last four seasons, all to Century. And the Centurions (14-3, 2-0) had lost only seven in that span, all but one to El Dorado. The last four seasons, one of these teams won the league title.

“It sure won’t be that way the next time we play them,” Century Coach Jeff Watts said. “I’ve seen [El Dorado] three times and they don’t shoot like that.”

The rims seemed cursed for El Dorado, which made only five of 40 shots (12.5%). But the Golden Hawks’ shots were too long or too short, with too much rotation or not enough. The ball would circle out of the ring, or bounce twice and trickle off.

And almost always, a Centurion was there to rebound. Sophomore Charlenda Van Buren (10 points) complemented Powell with 10 rebounds in their 46-25 advantage.

“We were in our own gym working so hard defensively in the first quarter, and we weren’t getting any baskets,” El Dorado Coach Wayne Carlson explained. “They got a few points and we started pressing. Then it becomes even harder. And in a big game, you tighten up even more.

“We got good looks. We just have to be better offensive players.”

Powell missed her first six shots, then made six of her next nine as Century stretched its 10-4 lead in the first quarter to 27-8. El Dorado finished the half two for 19 from the field.

Elizabeth Mendoza, a sophomore, scored 12 for Century, and Ana Villalovos had five steals.

In another league game:

Cypress 54, Loara 35--Lyndsay Weaver led host Cypress (10-7, 1-1) with 21 points.

Carrie Banister led all scorers with 22 points for Loara (10-9, 1-1).