Josh Darling is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism studen assigned to cover Ironwood High School for AZPreps365.com

On Tuesday night, the Ironwood and Centennial boys basketball team met for the second time in the span of a week. Ironwood was looking to even the series after losing the first game to Centennial 51-37 on February 2, 2022. 

Centennial had an incredible start to the game with great ball movement and defense against Ironwood. The Coyotes explosive offense led the way with a 17-0 scoring spree. Ironwood didn’t score until 1:23 was left in the first quarter when senior DeOits Nunn sank the first basket for the Eagles to make the score 17-2. Nunn was fouled on the play and only made one free throw. Centennial would hit a three pointer to end the first quarter 20-3.

Ironwood Head coach Jordan Augustine said the team had to make more shots to keep the first quarter close and acknowledged Centennial’s potent defense. 

“Got to make shots, man. I mean it’s that simple,” Augustine said. “We didn’t make enough shots. They made shots. They played great defense.” 

At the start of the second quarter, Ironwood junior Jordan Jones hit a three-pointer to spark the Eagles momentum, but it wasn’t enough as they struggled to get back into the game. However, Ironwood made adjustments on defense and managed to hold Centennial to 11 points after the first quarter blowout.  

The last two quarters weren't much different; however, Ironwood did outscore Centennial in the third quarter 12-10. 

Nunn showed grit and effort on the court against the Coyotes. He would go on to be the high scorer for Ironwood, ending the game with 12 points.

“He really is a great kid,” Ironwood assistant coach Tim Jones said of Nunn. “He plays very well on the defensive end…[We’re] certainly going to need his scoring, leadership, and defense to go far into the playoffs.” 

Both teams are in the 5A Northwest Conference. Ironwood is fourth in the conference, while Centennial is in the top spot. Tuesday night's match-up between both teams doesn’t affect their playoff hopes since both teams already have berths, however, due to the loss, Ironwood is going to be part of the play-in game on Friday.

“Only thing we can do is stay positive,” said Ironwood's Jones. “Work hard the next three days till Friday.”