It was just one of those days for the Hazelwood Central basketball team.

The previously unbeaten Hawks came out flat and never recovered in dropping a 72-61 decision to Christian Brothers College (CBC) High School on Wednesday in a non-conference game at Central.

Central, which won its first 14 contests by an average of 17.1 points per game, falls to 14-1. CBC improves to 14-4.

"We weren't ready to go from the start," Central coach Josh Martin said. "I'll take the blame on this one. I didn't have the guys ready to go.

I didn't do a good job."

Part of the Hawks' woes can be attributed to the absence of senior guard Curtis Churchman, who has been suspended from the team according to Martin. The lightning-quick Churchman leads the club with 79 assists and 50 steals. He is averaging 9.9 points per game.

"He's suspended for some (poor) choices and violating team rules," said Martin, who wouldn't say when, and if, Churchman will return.

Central's offense appeared stuck in low gear without Churchman. CBC jumped out to a 15-6 lead in the first quarter and never looked back.

CBC winger Darion Rackley led the Cadets with 26 points. Dominic Kacich and Seth Johnson added 13 points each. Jared Barnes chipped in with 10 points.

Senior Cody Fondren paced Central with 20 points. Trae Anderson added 12 points.

CBC has lost twice to powerful Chaminade, which is unbeaten and ranked second in the state.

Hazelwood Central entered the game rated third statewide. But that lofty ranking didn't bother the Cadets, who controlled the tempo and dictated the pace of the contest.

"We really executed at both ends of the floor," said CBC coach Bob McCormack. "You've got to play four solid quarters against a talented team like Central."

CBC did just that.

Rackley scored 10 of his team's first 15 points including a pair of 3-pointers. The Cadets pushed their advantage to 26-17 at the break and coasted home.

Central made a pair of mild runs battling back to 37-31 late in the third quarter before CBC answered with two free throws each from Rackley and Jordan Barnett. The Hawks got to within 53-46 on a pair of foul shots by Dominick Farmer with 3:09 left. But CBC hit six of eight foul shots in the closing 3:54 to nail down the victory.

Martin was disappointed with the effort of his team, but he said the squad is certainly capable of bouncing back.

"We've got to learn from our mistakes and get better," he said. "We've got to learn to take some responsibility and move forward."

The triumph gives the Cadets a shot in the arm. With the key road win, they believe they can compete with the state's elite.

"We felt like we wanted it more than they did," Rackley said.

Central is scuelded to play host to Ritenour on Thursday, Jan. 20., weather permitting.