Centerville, Ohio — The fourth and final game of the Elk Elite Showcase at Centerville High School was a pairing between the defending state champion Centerville Elks and Flyght Academy Prep. Tom House and Rich Rolf each dropped a smooth 19 points as the Elks rolled to a 74-56 victory.

Centerville was originally scheduled to play Vision Academy from New York but they dropped out of the showcase at the last minute. This opening gave Flyght Prep Academy the opportunity to play. Flyght Prep is coached by former UD Flyer Joey Gruden and is comprised of mostly former high school hoopers from the Miami Valley.

Trotwood-Madison alumni Anthony McComb, Butler alumni Tyler Montague, and Wayne alumni Tallice Landers are just a few of the Flyght Prep players.

Flyght Prep guard Anthony McComb

Centerville came into Sunday night’s contest after three straight blowout wins to start the season over Miamisburg, Beavercreek, and Northmont. The closest game the Elks have seen so far this year was their 66-25 win on Friday at Northmont.

The duo of Gabe Cupps and Tom House has been dominant so far. Senior Rich Rolf has also slowly been working his way back into the lineup as well. He’s been dealing with an injury this season that kept him sidelined for the first game and on limited minutes for the last two.

Centerville junior Gabe Cupps

The Elks came out firing from three. Quinn Hafner hit a pair of threes before Florida State commit Tom House sent the soldout house into a frenzy with his three-pointer. That shot gave the Elks a 16-6 lead and then a pair of threes from Rich Rolf gave Centerville a 26-14 lead heading into the second quarter.

Tom House showed off his NBA range with a pair of deep threes which extended the Elks’ lead to 21. The momentum would go to Flyght at the half though, as Will Hill drilled a deep three at the buzzer to cut into the deficit and make it just a 40-32 game going into halftime.

Centerville senior Tom House

Quinn Hafner had a big third quarter as he scored at will but Flyght was able to keep it close with the three point shooting of Will Hill and Tallice Landers. A corner three from Tom House extended Centerville’s lead back to double digits as they led 59-47 at the conclusion of the third quarter.

Centerville senior Quinn Hafner

Rich Rolf’s step back three felt like an early dagger as it extended Centerville’s lead to 17. Flyght would continute to fight back but late baskets from Gabe Cupps and Ryan Keifer but it just a bit too little too late as Flyght Prep fell to Centerville 74-56.

Florida State commit Tom House and Rich Rolf each had 19 points to lead Centerville. Gabe Cupps had 12 points in front of his future head coach in Mike Woodson who was sitting courtside. Quinn Hafner also contributed 12 points for the Elks as they improve to 5-0 on the year.

Centerville senior Rich Rolf

They will face undefeated Fairmont on Tuesday at home and then the Elks will travel to Wayne for a rivalry matchup the following Thursday to round out 2021 for them.