CENTER – The Center High School boys basketball returned to action after the holiday break on Saturday and it returned in a big way as the Vikings defeated Rocky Ford 82-45 at the CHS gym.

Jaiden Martinez put the Vikings on the board first with a layup, but Shayne Gonzales answered with a 3-point basket to give the Meloneers a 3-2 lead. Anjel Palma answered with a three of his own, but Gonzales scored in the paint to tie the score at 5-5.

Martinez made back-to-back threes for an 11-5 lead. Gonzales drained a trey, but Martinez drove for a layup, and Ruben Rendon split at the free throw line. Palma scored again to push the Vikings’ lead to 16-8.

Gonzales ended the run with a layup, but Ivan Guaderrama knocked down a jumper for Center. Xavier Preciado scored in the paint, but Palma and Mathias Harmon exchanged 3-pointers and Center led 21-15 at the end of the first quarter.

Gonzales scored five straight points to cut the Vikings’ lead to 21-20. Guaderrama drove for a layup, but Harmon did the same thing on the other end of the court. Harmon scored again to help the Meloneers regain the lead at 24-23.

Guaderrama put the Vikings back on top, and Martinez and Yanixan Padilla both split at the line. Padilla then hot a jumper for a 29-24 Center lead.

Mario Mendoza and Padilla both scored for a 33-24 advantage, but Harmon drained a three to bring Rocky within 33-27 at halftime.

The second half was all Center. Rendon opened the third quarter with a three, and Martinez and Guaderrama both scored to increase the lead to 40-27. Padilla then split at the line, but Fabian Ortega made a three for the Meloneers’ first points of the second half.

Martinez answered with a trey. Francisco Casares scored five points, and Padilla four as the Vikings’ lead grew to 53-30.

Dylan Florez ended the run with a 3-pointer, but Martinez scored five points, and Mendoza and Casares two to push the advantage to 62-33.

Louie Medina split at the line for the Meloneers, but Center led 62-34 at the end of the third quarter.

Gonzales began the fourth quarter with a three, but Damian Casanova drained two treys, Padilla scored four points, and Guaderrama two for a 74-37 Vikings’ lead.

The rest of the game was played under a running clock, but Martinez scored five more points, and Mendoza three.

Four Vikings scored in double figures and were led by Martinez with 25. Padfilla scored 13 points, and Palma and Guaderrama both scored 10.

Gonzales led the Meloneers with 22 points, and Harmon scored 12.

Center (5-4) will make the trip to Fairplay on Saturday to take on South Park. The first game tips off at noon.

Center 82, Rocky Ford 45

Rocky Ford – F. Ortega 1 0-0 3, Gonzales 7 4-6 22, Ramirez 0 0-0 0, Preciado 2 0-0 4, Harmon 4 1-2 12, D. Ortega 0 0-0 0, Medina 0 1-2 1, Florez 1 0-0 3. Total 15 6-10 45.

3-point goals – Gonzales 4, Harmon 3, Florez 1, Ortega 1. Total 9.

Center – Padilla 6 1-2 13, Palma 4 0-0 10, Guaderrama 5 0-0 10, Martinez 8 5-10 25, Rendon 1 -2 4, Casanova 2 0-0 6, Cazares 3 1-1 7, Mendoza 3 0-1 7, Ramirez 0 0-0 0, Badachi 0 0-2 0. Total 32 8-18, 82.

3-point goals – Martinez 4, Casanova 2, Palma 2, Mendoza 1, Rendon 1. Total 10.

Rocky Ford 15 12 7  11 – 45

Center 21 12 29 20 – 82

Fouls – Rocky Ford 11, Center 15. Fouled out – Badachi. Technical fouls – Gonzales, Rocky Ford bench.