Gold ball more than just a trophy for Centennial High School students

But that gold ball represents more than a trophy, or a title, or a historic moment in a young school's history.

It's proof to every student who walks the halls at Centennial that hard work does pay off. And that similar success can be accomplished again with the same dedication.

In basketball, and in life.

“Our kids have to overcome so much,” Centennial coach Scott Raper said. “For them to overcome what they've overcome is phenomenal. Now, this gives everybody at the school something.

“These kids have worked two or three hours a day for five months, and the other kids can see it's not instant reward. Sometimes it's gonna take longer.”

When Raper took the job at Centennial when the school opened four years ago, he and assistant coach Michael Brewer laid out a plan to build their new team into a championship contender — a five-year plan.

“We're ahead of schedule, but that's OK,” Raper said with a laugh. “We have a good group of eighth-graders coming up, and hopefully this group has challenged those younger kids to where they can improve and understand what it takes to be successful.”

Buying into Raper's plan was the key for Centennial, which started the year at No. 12 in the preseason rankings.

“We practiced hard and just did everything we could possibly do,” said senior Tyrone Jones, who had 10 points and 14 rebounds in the title game. “Coach preached defense. At first we didn't stick with the plan, but then we got with it and we came out with the ‘W.'”