April 16, 2024

Panthers’ Baker breaks record

By TYLER HETU
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Brielle Baker drives around a fallen Atlantic defender on her way to a 23-point outing in which she broke the school all-time scoring record. (CNA photo)

The Creston girls pulled off an impressive 72-55 win over Atlantic on Friday, improving to 2-2 on the season.

It was apparent early in the game that the Panthers had complete control.

The Panthers jumped out early in the first quarter with scores from Kelsey Fields. Fields was instrumental in dominating the interior early in the game, scoring 13 points in the first half.

Fields finished with a double double of 15 points and 13 rebounds, her third in four games.

However, Fields’ big night was overshadowed by Brielle Baker rewriting Creston’s record books, moving past 2016 graduate Jenna Taylor for sole possession of first place as the high school’s all-time leading scorer for girls basketball.

Baker checked out in the second half with 23 points and eight assists, both team highs.

“We were trying to get her over the hump there at the end to get that last basket but she had 15 or 17 points just playing within herself really well,” said coach Tony Neubauer. “She’s constantly a team player and scores in a lot of different ways so just epitomizes what you want as a player.”

Baker now sits on 942 career points with the Panthers with 17 games left in the regular season.

While Atlantic was aggressive on defense from the tip, the Panthers were able to move the ball well to score. Coach Neubauer credits more than just the impressive nights from Fields and Baker.

“Our kids really dialed in after that and took them (Atlantic) out of rhythm,” said Neubauer. “We had some different kids step up, Sydney (Hartsock) hit three threes, Bree Ross had eight points, Sam (Dunphy) and Kelsey (Fields) did a sensational job of finishing on the inside post.”

While the girls were able to tighten up defensively for the second half of the game, coach Neubauer says there’s still work to be done.

“Defensive rebounding, we have got get better at that,” said Neubauer. “Taking care of the basketball, a little bit of everything. It was a nice win but it was just one game so we have to keep moving forward and get better in everything and get better for Tuesday.”

UP NEXT – The girls will host Harlan on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

ATLANTIC (55) — 12 9 15 19

CRESTON (72) — 18 20 25 9

ATLANTIC (FG FT PTS) — Totals —17 8-10 55. Alyssa Derby 3 7-8 13, Corri Pelzer 5 2-2 12, Haley Rasmussen 4 0-0 11, Baylee Newell 2 1-2 6, Kenzie Waters 2 1-2 5, Alyssa Ginther 1 2-2 4, Taylor McCreedy 0 2-2 2, Heidi WIlliams 0 1-2 1. 3-point field goals – 5 (Rasmussen 2). Team fouls – 11.

CRESTON (FG FT PTS) — Totals — 36 7-14 93. Brielle Baker 8 3-3 23, Kelsey Fields 6 3-4 15, Sam Dunphy 4 2-2 10, Sydney Hartsock 3 0-0 9, Bree Ross 4 0-0 8, Braelyn Baker 1 0-0 3, Brianna Fields 1 0-0 2, Saige Rice 1 0-0 2. 3-point goals (8) — Baker (4), Hartsock (3) Braelyn Baker (1). Rebounds — 34 (K. Fields 13, Ross 5, Dunphy 5, Rice 4, Brielle Baker 4). Assists — 23 (Brielle Baker 8, Hartsock 5, Rice 5). Steals — 10 (Dunphy 3). Blocked shots — 2 (Dunphy 2). Team fouls — 18. Fouled out — None.