Four seniors played the entire game and dominated both ends of the court as Crossroads cruised to a 78-34 victory over Centennial on senior night Feb. 4.
The Roadrunners honored seniors Lucas Bozé, Cheikh Diebakhate, EJ Vernon and Nathan Petros by allowing them to play all 32 minutes in the blowout win. The quartet combined for 44 points while leading Crossroads to its most lopsided victory of the season.
Bozé led all scorers with 23 points, showcasing his versatility with drives to the basket and corner 3-pointers. Vernon contributed 12 points, while Diebakhate added nine points to go with several thunderous dunks and blocks that energized the home crowd.
"The crowd really supported him tonight and showed a lot of love for him," according to game observers, referring to Petros, who connected on multiple 3-pointers that sent the student section into a frenzy.
The win improved Crossroads to 14-13 on the season.
From the opening tip, the Roadrunners set the tone with aggressive defense and crisp offensive execution. Vernon scored the game's first basket on a layup, and Diebakhate followed with a powerful dunk after forcing a turnover. The physical presence of the 6-foot forwards proved too much for Centennial throughout the contest.
Crossroads established early control with a full-court press that rattled the Apaches, leading 17-11 after the first quarter. The defensive pressure created numerous easy scoring opportunities in transition.
The second quarter belonged to Petros, who connected on his first 3-pointer to ignite the student section. When he drained another from beyond the arc later in the period, the crowd erupted. A ferocious block by Diebakhate led to another Petros 3-pointer, sending the fans into delirium.
Vernon showcased his court vision early in the second quarter, firing a full-court outlet pass to Bozé for a thunderous dunk. The superior skill and coaching of Crossroads became evident as they stretched their lead to 44-29 at halftime.
The third quarter saw Crossroads utilize their size advantage as Vernon and Diebakhate operated from the free-throw line area, creating open looks for perimeter shooters. Petros continued his hot shooting with another 3-pointer out of a scramble, while Bozé maintained his consistent scoring with drives and outside shots.
By the end of the third quarter, Crossroads had built a commanding 64-30 advantage.
The fourth quarter served as a victory lap for the seniors. Bozé capped his outstanding performance with a crafty hop-step layup in the lane before checking out with 2:18 remaining to a standing ovation from the appreciative crowd. Petros also received a lengthy standing ovation as he concluded his high school career.
The defensive effort proved just as impressive as the offensive display. Diebakhate anchored the interior with multiple blocks, while the team's trapping defense forced numerous turnovers that led to easy baskets in transition.
The victory marked a perfect end to the high school careers of the four seniors, who have been instrumental in the program's development. Their leadership and skill were on full display as they controlled every aspect of the game against an overmatched Centennial squad.
The lopsided nature of the contest allowed the coaching staff to showcase the seniors' individual talents while celebrating their contributions to the program. Each player had signature moments that highlighted their unique skills, from Bozé's left-handed finishes to Diebakhate's rim protection and Vernon's playmaking ability.
The emotional evening concluded with the four seniors savoring their final moments on their home court, having delivered a performance that will be remembered long after their graduation.