April 17, 2024

Creston girls blow out Clarinda

Panthers prepare for Thursday matchup with No. 1 Glenwood

By Brennen Normand

Creston's Gracie Hagle pulls up for a 3-pointer against Clarinda Monday. The Panthers shot well from the perimeter, despite using the boys' ball for the second quarter and midway through the third quarter. (Brennen Normand)

With a top-15 matchup on the horizon, Class 4A No. 14 Creston girls basketball (13-5) took care of business against Clarinda (3-17) Tuesday in a 79-18 blowout win.

Using a combination of size on offense and lockdown defense, Creston jumped out to an 11-0 lead less than three minutes into the game. Getting the ball to Kelsey Fields, scoring on fast breaks and scoring inside boosted Creston early.

The defense held Clarinda scoreless until Jessalee Neihart knocked down the Cardinals’ first shot at 5:08. Creston continued to roll with the offense finding a rhythm, the defense blocking shots and tipping passes.

“Defense was phenomenal tonight,” Creston head coach Tony Neubauer said. “We’re just getting better.”

After the first eight minutes, Creston led 24-8, and the Panthers didn’t slow up.

The second quarter started with back-to-back 3-pointers from Brianna Fields. Perimeter shooting Monday continued to be effective for the 27.6% 3-point shooting Panther team.

On the night, Creston knocked down six 3-pointers. The successful shooting in the second and third quarters, however, came while using the boys’ ball.

“Kelsey hit a couple threes, Rylie (Driskell) shot the ball well, Gracie (Hagle) hit her first three,” Neubauer said. “We just did a good job, so hopefully we can just carry that over to the game on Thursday and into the postseason.”

Fields led the team in scoring with 32 points. Driskell scored 12 points, and Hagle scored three points on one 3-pointer. Sam Dunphy also added 16 points, 10 coming from the free-throw line, in the big win.

Creston's Sam Dunphy puts up a shot in the lane against Clarinda Monday. (Brennen Normand)

The game continued with the boys’ ball until midway through the third quarter when Creston had the lead locked up, leading 63-16 after 24 minutes of play. The Panthers rolled through the final quarter, subbing the bench in late in the game.

The win was something Creston expected as one of the top teams in the conference, but Glenwood remains looming Thursday. The game with the Rams, after being moved from Jan. 26, doesn’t carry as much weight with playoff pairings being released the same day for Class 4A.

Creston's Kelsey Fields (15) looks for a teammate to pass to from the corner. (Brennen Normand)

“Thursday, obviously it’s a big game for us in some respects, but at the same time, our pairings come out that day,” Neubauer said. “We want to play well Thursday, but it doesn’t end our season. We want to keep playing and getting better.”

UP NEXT — Creston hosts Glenwood Thursday at 6 p.m.

Creston 79, Clarinda 18

CLARINDA (18) — (FG FT PTS) Totals — 8 1-4 18. Faith Espinosa 2 1-2 5, Chloe Strait 2 0-0 4, Ally Meier 1 0-0 3, Jessalee Neihart 1 0-2 2, Bailey Bordyke 1 0-0 2, Amelia Hesse 1 0-0 2. 3-point goals —1 (Meier). Team fouls — 18. Fouled out — None.

CRESTON (79) — (FG FT PTS) Totals — 27 19-26 79. Kelsey Fields 13 4-7 32, Sam Dunphy 3 10-16, Rylie Driskell 3 5-5 12, Brianna Fields 4 0-0 10, Doryn Paup 2 0-0 4, Gracie Hagle 1 0-0 3, Morgan Driskell 1 0-0 2. 3-point goals — 6 (K. Fields 2, B. Fields 2, Hagle 1, R. Driskell 1). Team fouls — 10. Fouled out — None.