April 28, 2025
Local NewsState & National

Creston searches for perimeter shooting after big loss

Panthers fall to No. 6 Thunder for third straight loss

By Brennen Normand

Creston's Colby Burg pulls up for a 3-pointer Tuesday. Head coach Bryce Schafer said the Panthers need to find success shooting from the perimeter from their guards. (Brennen Normand)

Creston boys basketball (7-7) lost its third straight game Tuesday with an 82-40 loss to a Grand View Christian team that knocked down 10 3-pointers.

The Class 1A No. 6 Thunder (14-1) entered Tuesday shooting 47.8% from the field and 36.5% from beyond the 3-point line.

Creston head coach Bryce Schafer said he felt the team had “decent contests” on about 70% of the Thunder’s 3-pointers, but their guards’ quickness allowed them to drive past defenders that committed on the shot.

Brandon Berry drives to the lane against Class 1A No. 6 Grand View Christian Tuesday.

The Panthers opened the game competing on the boards, knocking down shots and playing on the emotion of the crowd.

Grand View Christian jumped out to an 8-3 lead before Kaden Briggs knocked down a wide-open three from the top of the key to cut Grand View Christian’s lead to two points. Briggs hit a floater in the lane and Evan Bruce scored a 3-pointer to keep the Thunder’s lead at three points, 18-15.

A score from Manny Hammonds and 3-pointer from Jonny Gatto sent Grand View Christian up 23-17 at end of the first quarter.

“I think we came out with great energy. I thought the first quarter was really nice. We attacked in transition, we got some stops,” Schafer said. “That second half, they made a dedicated effort to crash the boards, especially offensive boards, and we did not respond.”

Creston started out the second quarter down five, but the Panthers gave up back-to-back turnovers and missed two free throws, leading to eight Thunder points with two Hammonds threes.

Grand View’s second-quarter run continued throughout all eight minutes, outscoring Creston 26-8, as the strong Creston rebounding in the first quarter started to fade as the deficit increased.

“We’d have really good defensive possessions and then give up an offensive rebounds,” Schafer said. “I’m guessing that they had to have had 12 to 16 second-chance points.”

The offense, in the second half, scored 15 points with no 3-pointers. Colby Burg, Kyle Strider, Derek Paup and Briggs scored all 15 throughout the final 16 minutes.

Kyle Strider goes up for a layup in the lane Tuesday. (Brennen Normand)

As a team, Creston is shooting 41.2% from the field and 30.1% from the 3-point line this season.

“My biggest issue lies with we are getting zero production out of our guards, minus Colby Burg. We’re not going to be able to sustain that,” Schafer said. “I thought Briggs had a pretty good game. Khalil, he didn’t necessarily score, but I thought he had an OK game. Again, guards, no production, no points. (Evan) Bruce had a three, and (Patrick) Varner had a three. Other than that, I don’t remember a perimeter shot being hit.”

The second half was all Grand View Christian as the Thunder outscored Creston 33-15.

With five games left in the regular season, Schafer said he still expects his team to face Harlan, barring a drastic change in the final two weeks, so he will go back to the drawing board on finding ways for his guard-heavy team to score.

UP NEXT – Creston returns to action at home Friday against Red Oak (7-9) at 7:30 p.m.

Junior Varsity

Creston junior varsity knocked off Grand View Christian 74-42 Tuesday.

The Panthers led 36-25 at halftime, extending the lead throughout the second half.

Twelve Panthers scored points, with three recording double-digits. Varner scored 15 points, Tony Davidson scored 14 and Cael Turner put up 11 points.

“We played well offensively and attacked the rim,” coach Todd Jacobson said. “Defensively, we were able to defend better in the second half to pull away.”

Grand View Christian 82, Creston 40

GRAND VIEW CHRISTIAN (82) — (FG FT PTS) Totals — 34 7-13 82. Josh Baucum 7 2-2 19, Caleb Parlee 9 1-2 19, Manny Hammonds 5 1-1 14, Jonny Gatto 5 0-0 14, Daniel Tobiloba 5 3-5 13, Noah John 1 0-0 2, Alandis Arrasmith 0 1-4 1. 3-point goals — 10 (Gatto 4, Hammonds 3, Baucum 3). Team fouls — 15. Fouled out — none.

CRESTON (40) — (FG FT PTS) Totals — 14 8-13 40. Kaden Briggs 5 3-4 14, Colby Burg 2-3 7, Kyle Strider 2 3-4 7, Derek Paup 2 0-0 4, Cole Strider 1 0-0 3, Evan Bruce 1 0-0 3. 3-point goals — 4 (Burg 1, Briggs 1, Cole Strider 1, Bruce 1. Team fouls — 14. Fouled out — None.