It’s been a long four years for Centralia’s five seniors.
Brandon Yeung, Rex Akins, Landon Kaut, Cole Wasson and Jayden Pannette entered ninth grade on the tail-end of Centralia High School’s renovations. They’ve weathered double levy failures and three years of life amidst COVID-19.
But on senior night Friday, they ended their final game at Ron Brown Court on a high note.
Kaut erupted for a game-high 36 points, including 17 of 19 from the charity stripe, and the Tigers edged Aberdeen for a 69-67, season-ending victory at home.
“Senior night, last game, kind of hard for both teams not heading to the postseason,” Centralia coach Kyla Donahue said. “I challenged the seniors in the second half and told them they only have 16 minutes left in their high school career. Leave it all out there.”
Holding a 34-26 lead at the half, the Tigers responded, fending off Aberdeen’s furious comeback attempt, which included some big 3-pointers, and Centralia held on for the victory.
Wasson finished with 14 points and Yeung added seven for the Tigers.
What Donahue will remember most about the five seniors is their dedication and commitment to the program. They gave it everything they had, no matter the opponent.
“As much as they’ve been through, their perseverance and grit and just coming to the gym day in and day out,” Donahue said, “I was proudest of the way they competed every night.”
