The Brookfield Central Lancers on Tuesday fell to second place in the Greater Metro Conference after a bruising loss to Sussex Hamilton Chargers.
The Chargers defeated the Lancers, 41-30, to vault them into sole possesion of first place in the Greater Metro Conference at the halfway point in the season. Though the Chargers record remains unblemished, everyone who stepped on the court left with their share of bruises in a game Wisconsin Badgers Coach Bo Ryan would have enjoyed.
The Lancers stayed in a 1-3-1 zone throughout the night, and did what they could to trap Chargers' star guard Brady Ellingson on the perimeter to disrupt his three-point shooting ability. The translated to long possessions for the Chargers, as they moved the ball around to find a prime shot.
Despite the Lancers' best attempts to contain Ellingson, the junior still had a big night. Ellingson led the Chargers with 24 points, and 12 of those points came from behind the arc. Senior forward Tony Gumina also scored 12 points.
The Lancers and Chargers were engaged in a defensive battle throughout the first three quarters. Heading into halftime, the Lancers had a 23-19 lead. However, the Chargers outscored the Lancers 22-7 in the second half.
The Lancers were led in scoring by junior Riley LaChance, who put up 9.
The Chargers (12-0 overall, 6-0 Greater Metro) now sit all alone atop the conference. The Lancers (9-2, 5-1 Greater Metro) fall to second place. The Lancers will host the Chester, PA high school in the Brandon Jennings Invitational on Saturday.
