Centerplace 54, Veritas girls 45

Independence, Mo. — The Veritas Christian Eagles girls basketball team dropped its first game back after winter break with a loss to Centerplace on Tuesday.

The Eagles fell behind early, but rallied to tie it up at 44-44 with two minutes to go. Veritas was unable to close it out, though, and Centerplace ended the game on a 10-1 run.

Head coach Kevin Shelton said that end-of-the-game situations are something the Eagles need to work on since three of their four losses have came down to the last two minutes.

The Eagles, 4-4, will try to bounce back on Friday against the Derby Invasion in Derby.

Centerplace 21 7 9 17 — 54

Veritas 14 6 12 13 — 45

Centerplace: Witherell 18, Hillard 12, Neuman 8, Williams 6, Watson 4, Kroesen 4, Turner 2.

Veritas Christian: Huslig 22, Krestan 10, Dressler 8, Gloss 3, Scott 2.

Centerplace 66, Veritas boys 54

Independence, Mo. — Veritas Christian boys basketball coach Blake Mudd was pleased with the way his team performed Tuesday against Centerplace, but the Eagles fell to 4-5 on the season.

“We played hard,” Mudd said. “We just ran into a team that shot better than us.”

Sophomore Chad Stieben led the Eagles with 17 points.

The Eagles will play both Friday and Saturday in Derby. Veritas will take on the Derby Invasion on Friday.

Centerplace 17 20 17 12 — 66

Veritas 10 10 23 11 — 54

Centerplace: Canfield 35, Smith 16, Carnahan 11, Sanders 4.

Veritas Christian: Stieben 17, Dressler 12, Napier 10, Edmundson 9, Weinhold 6.