Ryan Glover is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Central High School for AZPreps365.com.

 

Central Bobcats fans left the game thrilled after the boys varsity basketball team defeated Camelback High School in the first round of its preseason tournament, 87-74, on November 25.

The game, while a success for the Bobcats, highlighted areas for improvement as the team works to fine-tune its performance early in the season. Head Coach Darren Bustos acknowledged the team’s struggles with turnovers and the need for a more composed offensive approach.

“It’s a little bit concerning with regards to our turnovers,” Bustos said. “We are rushing our shots and going too fast on offense, which is putting us in bad positions on the defensive end.”

Despite these challenges, Bustos believed the team deserved the win.

“Overall, I think the kids played well. It’s early in the season, and we just have to buckle down on a few things here and there,” he added.

The team’s performance drew mixed reactions from standout players, who recognized both the positives and areas for improvement. Freshman guard Grant Mattingly expressed enthusiasm about the win but admitted the team could perform better.

“We played well, but I don’t think we played our best,” Mattingly said. “Even though we won the game by 10 or 15, we probably should have won by 30 because that team really wasn’t that good.”

Camelback mounted a comeback attempt by implementing a full-court press during the last eight minutes of the game. Mattingly, who played a key role in breaking Camelback’s defensive press, emphasized the importance of staying composed under pressure.

“I just try to keep calm and make sure that when they’re pressing and trying to speed us up, I tell my teammates to slow down and play at our own pace,” he explained.

Another bright spot for the Bobcats was senior center Eric Butler, a player Bustos called an “X-factor.” Butler recorded the most rebounds in the game.

“We played a good game as a team. We saw what needed to be done on offense and defense, and we executed it,” Butler said. “We just worked as a team the whole game, and it went well with us winning by a lot.”

The Bobcats controlled the pace for most of the night, using strong ball movement and solid defense to outmatch Camelback. However, the team’s high turnover rate allowed the Spartans to stay within striking distance until the second half, when Central’s superior depth helped secure the victory.

Butler also highlighted the importance of the team’s bench in maintaining morale and energy throughout the game.

“The bench boosts our confidence a lot. If it wasn’t for our team, we wouldn’t be here. Our team boosts our confidence, which helps us win the game,” he said. “The louder our teammates, the better we play.”