jhancock@journalnet.com

POCATELLO - Brook Ferro scored all of Century's first quarter points in a game she called one of the best offensive efforts of her high school career on Tuesday, but her performance was the lone bright spot for Century's girls' basketball team, which lost to Preston, 64-44.

The 5-foot-11 inch junior scored eight points in the first quarter and had 17 points on the night. Ferro, known more for her defensive skills, said she was feeling good about her shot during the pre-game shootaround.

"I just had confidence in my shooting," she said. "If I'm going to have confidence, I'm going to shoot. I was in a deep zone."

Although Ferro easily outscored her teammates, the game's top scorer was Preston post player Holly Checketts, who put up 25 points, including 11 in the first quarter.

With the victory over Century, Preston took control of the 4A Fifth District conference race at 2-0. The Indians are 7-3 on the season. Century dropped to 1-1 in the conference and 4-6 on the season. Both of Preston's conference victories have come on the road, and it will now host their final two conference games after the holiday break.

The Indians took quick control of the game, outscoring the Diamondbacks 16-2 in the first 5:40 and finishing the quarter with a 22-8 lead.

"We didn't know what to expect from them. We just wanted to come out focused," said Preston coach Ryon Pope. "It's always our plan to come out and play up-tempo."

Preston's defense was even more stingy in the second quarter, giving up only six points while scoring another 15 of its own to finish the half with a 37-14 lead.

Ferro had a simple explanation for Century's shortcomings in the first half.

"Their shots were on and ours weren't," she said.

Century did make a push during the second half, closing the 23-point halftime deficit to 16 points in the third quarter and 15 points in the fourth quarter. But each time Century looked like it would make a run, Preston slammed the door on the Diamondbacks by going on a run of its own.

With 4:24 left in the fourth quarter, Ferro hit one of two free throws to put Century within 15 points. But that's when Preston turned it up and went on a 9-4 run to close out the game.

The second half of the game was marred with fouls, and both teams sent the other to the free throw line several times during the fourth quarter. Of the 28 points scored by both teams during that quarter, 13 came from the free throw line.

Century will be in action again Thursday when it hosts Bonneville. Preston welcomes Burley the same night.