March 28, 2024

Panthers roll on senior night

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Creston stormed to a 27-13 lead at the end of the first quarter here Monday on its way to a 76-47 win over Chariton on senior night.

After getting out to a slow start in Saturday’s loss to Atlantic, head coach Brent Douma said Monday’s explosive first quarter was encouraging.

“We came out with a lot of energy again,” Douma said. “That’s what we were hoping for and that’s what we were talking about. I was happy tonight the way we sustained it each quarter, too. We kept building the lead all the way through the third quarter and got it up to 31. That was a good outing tonight.”

The Panthers scored in a variety of ways in the first quarter. Senior Camryn Somers assisted on several baskets in the post by Cammy Rutherford, while freshman Brielle Baker turned steals into layups. Seniors Taylor Briley and Jenna Taylor each sank a 3-pointer in the quarter and then Taylor made another at the end of the quarter.

After one quarter of play, Taylor had nine points, Rutherford seven, Baker six and Briley five.

That balanced scoring continued throughout the game, as five Panthers scored in double figures.

Briley netted a team-high 19 points, with Baker adding 17. Taylor finished with 13 and Rutherford scored 11 points. Senior Caitlin McIlravy came off the bench to score 10 points.

Balanced scoring and getting free points at the charity stripe were key for the Panthers. Creston shot 27 of 38 from the free throw line.

“We were attacking,” Douma said. “We were 27-38 (from the free throw line). That’s a pretty good night. We did a nice job. Brielle was going to the basket and Taylor Briley was going to the basket. It’s nice to have five girls in double figures, as well.”

Creston led by 20 points (41-21) at halftime and took a 58-27 lead into the fourth quarter.

All seven seniors saw action in the fourth quarter after being honored with their parents in a pregame senior night ceremony.

Seniors honored Monday night were McIlravy, Jessica Beatty, Briley, Taylor, Somers, Alli Thomsen and Becca Ross.

“It’s a great group of girls,” Douma said. “They’ll be missed. Seven girls, you don’t see that very often. It was a nice deal for them to all get in the game and most of them scored, too. So that was good for them.”

The seniors also took a moment prior to the game to give a special thanks to fan Kevin Downey, who has been a big supporter of the team the past several years.

Creston, now 12-7 for the season, closes out the Hawkeye 10 season 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Clarinda. The Panthers then end the regular season with a home game 5 p.m. Saturday against Glenwood in a game that does not count in the conference standings.

CHARITON (47) — Ivy Swarthout 1 9-10 11, Carley Arnold 3 2-3 8, Carlie Schaeffer 3 0-0 6, Sarah Fuhs 2 2-2 6, Kendall Hardie 2 0-0 5, Maria Blong 1 1-2 3, Aubrie Richards 1 0-0 2, Saydee Terrell 1 0-0 2, Merideth Davis 1 0-0 2, Alexis Curran 0 1-2 1, Luci Swarthout 0 1-2 1. Totals — 15 16-21 47. Team fouls — 23. Fouled out — Schaeffer.

CRESTON (76) — Taylor Briley 4 9-12 19, Brielle Baker 5 7-8 17, Jenna Taylor 4 3-5 13, Cammy Rutherford 5 1-3 11, Caitlin McIlravy 2 5-6 10, Alli Thomsen 1 1-2 3, Lexie Little 1 0-0 2, Jessica Beatty 0 1-2 1. Totals — 22 27-39 76. FG shooting — 22-63 (34.9 percent). 3-point goals — 5-19 (Briley 2, Taylor 2, McIlravy 1). Rebounds — 40 (Taylor 9, Rutherford 7, Camryn Somers 6, Little 4, Briley 4, McIlravy 3). Assists — 18 (Somers 7, McIlravy 3). Steals — 14 (Baker 3, Rutherford 3, McIlravy 2, Briley 2, Thomsen 2). Blocked shots — 6 (Taylor 4, Beatty 2). Turnovers — 10. Team fouls — 22. Fouled out — none.

Chariton — 13 21 27 47

Creston — 27 41 58 76

JUNIOR VARSITY

The Creston JV girls team fell to 17-3 for the season with a 50-45 loss to Chariton on Monday.

Logan Pettit scored 16 points to lead the Panthers in the loss.

“Have to give credit to Chariton,” Creston JV coach Ryan McKim said. “They earned that win tonight. We had way too many turnovers and their effort defensively had a lot to do with that. We will bounce back.”

Creston (45) — Logan Pettit 16, Madison Callahan 8, Breanna Wallace 6, Taylor Buxton 4, Saige Rice 4, Cayla Maitlen 4, Bre Ross 2, Kesia Stewart 1. Halftime score — Creston 28, Chariton 28.

Chariton (50)

FRESHMEN

Due to low numbers, the Creston freshmen played only two quarters against Chariton on Monday and outscored the Chargers 35-15.

Bre Ross scored 12 points and Kesia Stewart added nine.

Creston (35) — Bre Ross 12, Kesia Stewart 9, Megan Haley 4, Saige Rice 3, Grace Root 3, Taylor Buxton 2, Cayla Maitlen 2.

Chariton (15)