Getting to know the Centerville Bulldogs

For the second time in as many seasons, the Centerville Bulldogs stand in the way of the Park Heritage Wolves punching their ticket to semi-state.

The two will square off at 4 p.m. Saturday in the Martinsville Regional. Pregame coverage on GIANT fm WAXI begins at 3:30 p.m. 

At 24-2, the Bulldogs return virtually everyone off a team that won a sectional last year before bowing out to the Wolves (23-4), 47-41 at Martinsville. 

"We basically returned our entire team from one year ago that won a sectional. However, last season we were missing our best player until the end of the year with an ACL injury. We knew if we stayed healthy this year, we could be a top five team in 2A," head coach Brian Keiser told The Parke County Post. 

And, Centerville has done just that.

The Bulldogs have won 17 of their last 18 games, including 11 straight. Centerville knocked off Hagerstown and Shenandoah last week to win a Sectional 44 crown.  

Keiser's team rotates nine players and everyone has stepped up in a "big way" at some point in the season, according to the fourth year coach. Senior guard/forward Shea Hollendonner leads the unit with 19.5 points per game, while senior guard/forward Landyn Keiser contributes with 10.7 points per game and just over five boards a game. Senior guard Ethan Vecera dishes out seven assists a contest, while sophomore guard Jace Hollendonner chips in with 9.5 points per game and 3 steals a game. Junior guard Bryson Brown has added 8.7 points per game for the Bulldogs. 

The opportunity to get revenge on Parke Heritage is something Centerville is focused on, and Keiser said after a great game last year between his team and the Wolves, Saturday's contest is "the story of the day for the regional."

"It is going to be a great game, but it is a shame that both teams can't advance. It is a new scenario for sure, but it should be a hard fought game after last year's disappointing loss," Keiser admitted. 

The fourth year coach said he sees a lot when he pops in a Parke Heritage game tape. 

"They are very well rounded, and they have skilled players and play makers in every position. They are dynamic and extremely well coached. They also have tournament experience that most teams don't have. They are a handful and could win it all," Keiser said. 

As for what it will take for Centerville to advance past Parke Heritage, Keiser said it will take several things to go the way of the Bulldogs. 

"It will take a great effort from the Bulldogs and the ball to bounce our way a few times to pull off the upset. We will have to shoot well, defend well and hope for an off night by Parke Heritage," Keiser said.