After making the state tourney for the twelfth time in the last 22 years the Centralia Panthers looked to make it out of the first round unlike last season and they assured that with a first round win, moving to the semifinals. In the semifinals Centralia fell to a tough St. John-Hudson squad, sending them to the third place game on Saturday to take on Stockton.

Wanting to end their season with a win the Panthers responded from their semifinal loss with a flurry. Centralia jumped out to a 22-15 lead after the first quarter and while being outscored by one in the second period, held a six-point lead going into the half. In the second half the offensive flood gate opened for the Panthers as they poured in 40 points, while the defense locked down Stockton to the tune of 15 points in the second half, for Centralia to earn the 78-47 win and third place in Class 1A-Division I.

Everything seemed to go the Panthers way on the day as they came to play, shooting 56.4% from the floor, forcing 15 Stockton turnovers and outrebounding Stockton by 14 on the night, to go along with 10 players registering a point on the night. Panthers were lead by three players in double figures, with Sam Steinlage leading the way with a double-double, 24 points and 11 rebounds. J.T. Rosine and Brett Burdiek both each tallied double digits, also with 10 and 16 points. For Burdiek it was the third double figure game at state this year.

Centralia ends their season with the win and third place trophy to take home from the Class 1A-Division I, finishing the season with a 20-6 record on the year after going 2-1 at the state tournament.