Panthers turns weakness to strengths

Creston boys basketball (7-5) used energy, rebounding and free-throw shooting to take down Kuemper Catholic 66-48 Friday in a much-needed win for the Panthers.

“These are huge games for us, and the fact that they stepped up and played this well (is good),” Creston head coach Bryce Schafer said.

Since returning against Clarinda Jan. 5, The Panthers are 45-for-96 from the free-throw line, 47.9%, through the six games back. Friday, Creston finished 17-for-22 from the charity stripe.

Schafer said the team has had a tough time from the free-throw line the past few games since losing Brance Baker to injury due to increased attempts and increased time of play with Baker out.

Kuemper (4-10) battled with Creston through the opening quarter. The Knights took an 8-3 lead before Kyle Strider scored in the lane and Clayton Stafford knocked down a corner three to tie the game at eight.

Creston brought energy throughout the game, with the defense forcing tough shots as the Panthers went on a 11-2 run to end the first quarter.

“Energy was phenomenal. I think the energy was great,” Schafer said. “We at home have been really, really good, especially when the crowds have been able to come back. We fed off of that.”

The offense didn’t let up as the second quarter started. Colby Burg started the scoring going coast-to-coast after two consecutive Kuemper scores. From Burg’s bucket, Creston went on a 10-5 run to put the Panthers up 34-26 at halftime.

Kuemper was able to bring the game to within one point during a Creston scoring drought, 34-33 after three minutes of the third quarter.

Strider broke the scoreless drought at 4:42 to get the offense going for Creston.

“That’s three (good) games in a row for (Strider). That’s three straight double-digit nights for him, 12, 20 and (14),” Schafer said. “He probably put in another six to seven rebounds (Friday). He just really handled the pressure. He can guard those tweener, hybrid players, three, fours. We do a ton of swtiching, so him being able to guard a one to a five really helps those switches.”

Strider finished with 14 points for the second highest in the game.

A floater in the lane and assists in the lane by Brandon Berry swung the momentum in Creston’s favor late in the third quarter as the bench and stands exploded.

Schafer said his bench players like Berry gave Creston a boost it needed throughout the game with Derek Paup crashing boards offensively and defensively to go along with Berry’s “really nice” bounce-back game.

Free throws and rebounding became key in the final eight minutes for Creston as the Panthers were in the bonus early.

Throughout the final quarter, Creston went on big runs with big shots from Burg, Strider and Khalil Sherrod. Creston finished the game 10-for-12 from the free-throw line with Burg connecting on 8 of 10.

Burg finished with a game-high 23 points, 13 coming from the free-throw line.

UP NEXT – Creston takes on Glenwood at home Tuesday, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Atlantic 55, Creston 49

ATLANTIC – Creston fell to Atlantic 55-49 Saturday in a rescheduled conference game.

Creston led 15-9 after the first quarter before Atlantic came back to cut the Panthers’ lead to 24-23 at halftime. Creston extended its lead to 37-35 entering the fourth quarter. Atlantic outscored Creston 20-12 in the final eight minutes to take the win.

Stats were unavailable at time of press.

Creston 66, Kuemper Catholic 48

KEUMPER CATHOLIC (37) — (FG FT PTS) Totals — 17 2-2 48. John Mayhall 4 0-0 11, Noah Bauer 5 0-1 10, Dawson Gifford 3 0-0 7, Dawson Edwards 2 1-3 6, Taye Vonnahme 1 2-2 4, Isaac Evans 1 2-3 4, Mitchell Badding 1 0-0 3, Blake Pottebaum 0 1-2 1. 3-point goals — 6 (Mayhall 3, Edwards 1, Bedding 1, Gifford 1). Team fouls — 17. Fouled out — None.

CRESTON (71) — (FG FT PTS) Totals — 23 17-22 66. Colby Burg 5 13-15 23, Kyle Stider 6 2-2 14, Khalil Sherrod 6 0-1 12, Clayton Stafford 3 1-1 9,Cole Strider 1 1-2 3, Evan Bruce 1 0-0 3, Brandon Berry 1 0-0 2. 3-point goals — 3 (Stafford 2, Bruce 1). Team fouls — 14. Fouled out — None.