Central Tops Crosstown Rival Lake View to Win Doug McCutchen Tournament Title

SAN ANGELO, TX — The Central Bobcats and Lake View Chiefs are both off to hot starts this season, and they collided Saturday in front of a packed crowd at Ben Norton Gym in the championship game of the Doug McCutchen Tournament.

It was a raucous environment and a competitive game early before Central took control in the third quarter to pull away for a 74-39 win.

The Bobcats only led by 12 points at halftime, but they started the second half on a 13-0 run to sprint away with the game.

Central improved its record to a perfect 12-0, while Lake View fell to 8-2.

The Bobcats hit eight 3-pointers in the first half and finished with 10 shots from behind the arc, led by Trey Allen, who had 14 points and four 3-pointers, along with three steals.

Allen said it was a fun environment to play in.

“I loved it. I like to see the community together and everyone here. It was a good atmosphere. I enjoyed it. It was hype,” Allen said.

Ean McNeill also had 14 points for Central, along with six rebounds and three assists, while TK Taylor added 10 points and six rebounds.

Lake View was led by Braylon White, who had 10 points. The Chiefs’ defensive effort was led by exciting freshman Andrew Young, who had five points, five rebounds, four blocks and a steal.

Both San Angelo teams rolled through the tournament with four straight wins to reach Saturday’s final.

Central had the most impressive win with a 96-91 shootout over Lubbock Estacado, the No. 4-ranked team in Class 4A.

Class 6A Central and 4A Lake View rarely play, especially with something as important as a tournament title on the line.

"The kids were excited to play," Central head coach Antonio Geter said. "We always have these summer leagues games and fall league games, but we never get to play during the season. So to get together and have all the excitement, I don't have a voice because I was trying to yell and I couldn't yell over all the excited fans, so it was fun."

Lake View had an early 9-7 lead as its fans were roaring, but Central began knocking down one 3-pointer after another to charge in front with a 22-15 lead by the end of the first quarter and a 40-28 lead at halftime.

The Chiefs were also playing well offensively, but they were held to only 11 points in the second half.

Geter said the Bobcats made a point to play with more intensity after halftime.

Lake View head coach Courtney Bliskey said he was excited for the city matchup that packed the gym, and that he was happy with the way his team came out early.

"I hear people say it's a rivalry, but how can it be a rivalry when we don't play? We haven't played besides scrimmaging in at least a decade," Bliskey said. "When I found out about the matchup, Geter and I talked about it and wanted it to be about bringing us together as a San Angelo community, and I thought the crowd was good and kept it positive for the most part.

"It was a great start to the game. Both teams were getting after it and both were hitting. But when we stopped hitting, they kept hitting, and there you go."

Central will play again Tuesday when it travels to Hobbs, New Mexico, while Lake View will host Brownwood the same night.

This story will be updated.

Central 74, Lake View 39

Central   22   18   20   14 — 74

Lake View   15   13   5   6 — 39

CENTRAL — Ean McNeill 14, TK Taylor 10, Miguel Zamarron 8, Trey Allen 14, Micah Smith 4, Aaden Nino 1, Ja'Marcus Walker 7, Cristian Casillas 2, Jaylen Franklin 5, Gabriel Garcia 4, Emir Campanini 5.

LAKE VIEW — Isaac Torres 2, Braylon White 10, Andrew Young 5, Xzaven Ramon 7, Luke Barron 2, Chris Alvizo 3, Trace Woods 2, Xavier Castro 8.