In a battle of Tri-Metro Conference, West Division foes, Brooklyn Center (8-3, 1-0) started the conference schedule with an impressive 64-58 road win over Columbia Heights (7-4, 0-1).

Deshawn Pickford led the way for the Centaurs, scoring 12 first-half points and finishing the contest with a team-high 18. Columbia Heights was led by junior guard Deaundra Roberson, who dropped 20 in the losing effort.

Brooklyn Center was faced with pressure throughout the game, but despite giving up a bit of size down low, the Centaurs continued to execute down the stretch behind their strong guard play. Head coach Matthew McCollister talked about his team's crunch time execution, “I'm really proud, we have a core group of guys that have really bought in, and in the past this team might have folded, we had some pressure, some adversity, and we played through it.”

Freshman Lu'Cye Patterson, Brooklyn Center’s leading scorer on the year, stepped up in a big way in the closing minutes. Patterson, averaging 18.3 points per game coming into the contest, was held to just three points in the first half, but bounced back in the second to score a crucial nine points that helped secure the win.

“We always have three point guards out there, and I can be hard on them at times.” Coach McCollister said of his backcourt leaders. “When it came down to it, it's great to have such poise back there, especially from a senior and a freshman.”

Patterson's ability to see the floor and not rush into shots was one of the keys for Brooklyn Center in holding off the Hylanders, who made charge after charge but could never get close enough. “I'm battle tested. I've been in big games like this, but to me it's just basketball so there is nothing to be scared of.” Patterson said when asked about his maturity and poise.

The Columbia Heights’ gym was rocking on Tuesday night, and that energy spurred Deshawn Pickford to a huge game on both ends. “It pushes myself and my team to the max so we can play our hardest every night, so that we can get ready for the march when the playoffs come,” he said about the atmosphere.

The valuable experience of playing on the road is something that cannot be understated. Pickford may not be known as a prolific scorer, but his play seemed to inspire his teammates on Tuesday night. “I get better every night, and we really work to get open shots.”

Adreone Sprinkles added 16 points for the Centuars, including crucial layups down the stretch to help break the Columbia Heights press and extend the lead.

Brooklyn Center will travel to Concordia Academy on Friday night in pursuit of a third consecutive victory.

Deshawn Pickford led Brooklyn Center (8-3, 1-0) with 18 points as the Centaurs picked up a key 64-58 road win at Columbia Heights (7-4, 0-1) on Tuesday night at Columbia Heights High School. 

Pickford scored 12 first-half points to spark Brooklyn Center's hot start and Lu'Cye Patterson scored nine second-half points to help the Centuars hold off a hard-charging Hylanders squad led by Deaundra Roberson and his game-high 20 points.

Brooklyn Center took a seven-point lead into the locker room at halftime and and made some clutch buckets down the stretch to take home the six-point victory.