March 28, 2024

Creston knocks off defending champs

Panthers’ stellar play helps team top Glenwood

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GLENWOOD – It was Creston’s game from start to finish Monday night as the Panthers knocked off defending 3A state champion Glenwood 66-57 to open Class 3A substate 8 postseason play.

With the win, the Panthers move on to play another Hawkeye 10 foe in Denison-Schleswig (16-4) Thursday in Denison, a team that topped Creston 71-57 Jan. 11.

Opening tip will be at 7 p.m.

Creston took the initiative while Glenwood struggled to find its offensive rhythm, playing aggressive on offense and attacking the basket early in the first quarter.

“I think against a team like that (Glenwood), you can’t let them be the aggressors,” said Creston head coach Bryce Schafer. “We talked all week. We had a really good game against Harlan and we were the aggressors in that game, and that’s the mentality we came into the game with.”

The Panthers jumped ahead to a commanding lead on a 10-0 run to close out the first quarter, making it 23-8.

A Kylan Smallwood triple as the horn sounded to end the first knocked the wind out of an already down Rams team and gave the Panthers a burst of energy entering the second quarter.

The burst was short lived, as Glenwood started to find its rhythm on offense, going on a 6-0 run in the middle of the second to pull the deficit to nine at 27-18.

The lead stuck for the Panthers entering halftime, continuing to dominate the inside with the play of Cael Kralik, Brance Baker and Smallwood.

At the half, the trio combined for 33 points. They finished with a collective 60.

“It’s been a point of emphasis all year (to score inside),” said Schafer. “We changed a few things offensively to spread the ball, but we’re a dribble drive team. ... We want to attack the basket.”

“Our guys just came out tonight and pushed it to the limit,” said Schafer.

Glenwood however, did its best to try and make it a ballgame, going on an 13-1 run early in the third quarter to pull the deficit to 41-36.

The five-point lead was the closest the Rams came to the Panthers since the first minute of the ballgame, as Creston pulled away to make it 47-36 as it entered the final frame.

The fourth quarter had Glenwood trying to pull the score back by shooting from the 3-point line, something it had limited success in until the score was out of reach.

In the final two and a half minutes of play, the Panthers converted 9 of 12 from the charity stripe as the Rams tried to foul their way back into the game.

Glenwood’s fouls put Creston at the line 34 times, converting 27 attempts.

With Glenwood implementing the full court press to try and cause Panther turnovers, the Panthers court knew they were going to be OK if kept composure.

“We were telling each other to stay focused,” said Smallwood about the final minute of play. “(To) make sure we execute and that if we do it’ll work out.”

Smallwood finished with a team-high 24 points. Baker and Kralik both finished with 18 points.

Creston’s confidence is sky high after knocking off the defending 2018 state champion in Class 3A.

“Coming into it I think it was proving to ourselves that we’re one of the big dogs,” said Schafer. “I think for a while you get that mentality that you’re mid-pack or low-pack, and we need to have that mentality that we’re a big dog, and knocking teams like (Glenwood) off proves that and starts solidifying it.”

Smallwood knows the importance of playing a leadership role as the Panthers roll on to face Denison-Schleswig.

“Just make sure (to) be a leader, make sure the guys are ready,” said Smallwood. “We have to realize it’s a big game, huge game, and that they’re a good team. ...We just have to compete.”

Creston 66, Glenwood 57

CREST (66) — 23 12 12 19

GLEN (57) — 8 15 13 21

CRESTON (FG FT PTS) — Totals — 18 27-34 66. Kylan Smallwood 7 8-11 24, Brance Baker 4 10-11 18, Cael Kralik 5-6 18, Colby Burg 0 4-6 4, Jeffrey Dillenburg 1 0-0 2. 3-point goals — 3 (Smallwood 2, Kralik 1). Team fouls — 17. Fouled out — none.

GLENWOOD (FG FT PTS) — Totals — 25 4-11 57. Zach Carr 11 3-3 28, Christian Stanislav 6 0-2 12, Ryan Blum 5 0-0 10, Cade Van Ness 1 0-0 2, Ryan Leath 1 0-0 2, Dax Lappala 1 0-0 2, Jack Hughes 0 0-1 1 . 3-point goals — 3 (Carr 3). Team fouls — 26. Fouled out — Lappala.