Panthers use toughness, tenaciousness to finish off weekend with solid Rumble on the River victory

QUINCY — Camp Point Central boys basketball coach James Barnett admits the preparation for this weekend’s pair of challenges included some uneasiness.

“Nervous,” Barnett said of the one word he thought of having to travel to play West Central Conference opponent Quincy Notre Dame on Friday night and then play a neutral site affair against Madison in the span of 18 hours.

“We were 5-1 going in, but we beat the teams we should have beat during that stretch. I still didn’t know what we were going to be or who we were going to be, and over these last two games, I really feel like we’re starting to find our identity.”

That’s a tenacious, tough team.

Central followed up Friday’s 19-point victory at The Pit with a 57-46 victory over Madison at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center in the 15th annual Rumble on the River.

The Panthers’ success, specifically Saturday, started on the defensive end. After leading 11-10 following the first quarter, Central held Madison to one field goal in the second quarter and outscored the Trojans 14-4 to build an 11-point lead at halftime.

“We had energy in our defense and wanted it more than they did,” senior forward Isaac Genenbacher said.

Central also controlled things on the glass.

“We didn’t allow second chance points,” Barnett said. “We’re starting to box out, and that’s something we weren’t doing early (in the season).”

Said Genenbacher, “We’re finally starting to figure out what we are and what we can do.”

Panthers junior guard Nick Moore had a team-high 15 points, including a trio of 3-point field goals. He said despite limited time to do their homework on Madison the Panthers were ready.

“(Madison) is really athletic and very strong compared to other teams we play,” Moore said. “Coach (Barnett) prepared us and we got the job done.”

Genenbacher also finished in double figures with 12 points, and Carter Eyler and Gavin Blewett added eight points apiece.

Central has won seven games in a row since a season-opening loss to Brown County. 

With a daunting schedule on the horizon, including a trip to Lexington (a Class 1A sectional champion last season) on Tuesday, tournaments in Macomb and Winchester, and contests with Southeastern and West Hancock once the calendar turns to 2023, Barnett hopes the positive progress made this weekend continues into the weeks and months ahead.

“It is a confidence boost,” he said. “But we’re not relaxed by any means.”