Panther boys sign off on big, talented senior class

Creston boys basketball officially closed it season Sunday, heading their separate ways with the end of the season banquet.

The Panthers, who closed the season 10-10 (5-5 in Hawkeye 10 Conference), celebrated a season where the team faced a tremendous amount of adversity in both injuries and with COVID-19 protocols. Creston head coach Bryce Schafer opened the banquet saying it wouldn’t have been able to happen without the cooperation of parents.

“We wouldn’t have a program if it wasn’t for you guys doing your part, so I really appreciate it,” said Schafer to the parents..

The Panthers, despite not getting to work as early in the year as they had liked, they did not miss a game due to COVID exposure, and instead saw reschedulings.

“Looking back on the year, COVID put a damper on a lot of our offseason work, starting last spring and summer,” said Schafer. “... Our kids did an awesome job. It wasn’t easy but they did that because they understood if one guy goes positive, our season is done, especially late in the year. Putting the team above themselves was huge.”

Despite navigating around COVID, Schafer said the goals set out by the Panthers this season “weren’t reached as much as the team had wanted to,” but said there was still successful moments where guys stepped up and grinded out quality games.

Of the group of varsity players to recognized for their hard work weere Kahlil Sherrod, winning the Outstanding Defensive Player, and Colby Burg winning Outstanding Offensive Player of The Year as selected by his peers.

Sherrod, a lengthy 6-6 junior, saw significant time under the rim with fellow post player Kaden Briggs. Sherrod tallied 20 blocks, 93 rebounds, and 20 assists this season.

“By midseason, later in the year, he was one of our best rebounders defensively and offensively,” said Schafer. “We were matching him up against other team’s best players because of his length and athleticism.”

Burg, who emerged as the leading scorer on the team early on due to injuries, closed the year with 296 points and a unanimous Hawkeye 10 all-conference first-team selection. Burg also led the team in steals (32) and assists (68). Burg was also selected to the Class 3A all-Substate 8 team.

“He stepped up to the plate to become a leader on both ends of the floor,” Schafer said. “... Colby obviously had to walk into some challenging situations this year with injuries to Brance Baker and Kael Kralik. He really picked it up, and from a leadership perspective he really challenged guys along the way. He worked hard in practice. ... There was eight unanimous first-teamers (this year), and he was unanimous. That’s huge, praise from everyone in the conference.”

Fellow senior Brandon Berry was selected as the recipient of the Panther Pride Award for his dedication to the program.

Berry played in a limited role, appearing in 14 games. He had 11 points, seven steals, five rebounds and five assists this season. Schafer spoke highly of Berry’s work ethic, pointing to times he beat him in the gym every morning practice, trying to better himself every day.

“This kind of player comes to work even if he knows there isn’t a potential payoff for it,” Schafer said. “He’s doing it to better himself or the team ... He’s gone through a lot. ... This guy on a consistent basis was in there with the lights on before I got there. How he got in there, I still don’t know, but he was there. ... Already waiting for the balls so he can get shots up.”

For the Most Improved Player award, junior Avery Fuller was named as the recipient.

Fuller, coming off the bench for 20 games, scored 35 points on 51.6% shooting. He had 34 boards, four assists and four steals.

With plenty of players showing improvement from the year prior, Schafer said the Most Improved Player Award was one of the toughest to decide. In picking Fuller, he hopes his work at the JV level and limited varsity action will continue to translate into a starting spot next season.

“This was probably the toughest one we had to vote on. ... So many people were in the mix for this just based on the situation this year with so many people put into different roles,” said Schafer. “(He) worked his butt off. ... Played a lot of JV last year but as a program and coaching staff we’re looking forward to this guy being one of our biggest contributors next year.”

The senior class of Briggs, Burg, Berry, Baker, Kralik, Evan Bruce, Clayton Stafford, Ethan Freeman and Cole Strider were recognized for their collective efforts as not only players but as role models and people.

“This class has been huge for us. Not just in basketball but in a Creston Panther perspective all the way through,” said Schafer. “Most of them are in three sports, if not four and they’re kind of a foundation level for what we want to aspire to be with the next groups coming up. ... I love this group to death.”

Schafer reflected on a senior group that was very vocal with him during the highs and lows from each of the past three seasons, citing their ability to do that while maintaining the player-coach relationship made the group special and unique.

“They were sophomores when I came in, ... they had no problem expressing to me joy or frustration throughout the three years,” said Schafer. “Really, that’s what you want. You want to have those conversations with each other throughout. ... All these guys have added something to me personally and professionally, and it’s going to be tough to see them go.”

Schafer one by one went down the line of seniors, giving either an anecdote on their season or a story from their time with the program. Notably from the group was the storyline of Baker and Kralik, both of whom missed significant time due to injury.

Much was said about both seniors as Schafer touched on both their fight to get back to the floor and their coachability.

“He is one of those guys that is a joy to coach,” said Schafer on Baker. “... He loves the competitiveness of the game and messing with everyone while he’s on the floor. One of the best kids I’ve ever had the opportunity to coach. It sucks his senior year ended the way it did but I think it’s going to make him a better human being, because at the end of the day, sports aren’t everything.”

“I’ll be honest, I think he told me ‘I think I can be back in four months.’ The first thing I said in my head was ‘BS. There’s no way.’ ... He fully bought into his (physical therapy) and bought into his goal,” said Schafer on Kralik. “If it wasn’t for physical therapy, he didn’t miss practice. ... He worked himself to a point where he could come back in and play. He wasn’t 100%, ... but he got six or seven minutes and hits his first two jump shots of the season. ... I’m extremely proud of the fight he put in.”

Both Baker and Kralik were named, in agreement with coaches from the Hawkeye 10, as members of the Honorable Mention list for the Hawkeye 10 all-Conference team this season.

“That’s the kind of impact those guys had. ... Everybody was in unanimous decision that those guys deserved that honor,” Schafer said.

Also receiving a Hawkeye 10 honor was Kaden Briggs, who was selected for second-team after being “disrespected” a year prior.

“Last year, super frustrated about not making a team. I believe the word was ‘disrespected,’” said Schafer. “Comes back, works his but off his senior year, steps into the role he was given and was able to get to that second-team all-conference spot. ... I think that tells the young guys you don’t always get what you want, but continue to grind and it will pay off in the end.”

To close the banquet Schafer was honored for his 100th career win as a head coach, which came in a 79-48 win over Denison-Schlesiwg Jan. 8.

Schafer credited his kids, mentioning none of it would be possible without him. He was awarded a commemorative ball and a signed game ball by the team.

Postseason awards

Varsity letterwinners – Seniors: Colby Burg, Kaden Briggs, Brance Baker, Kael Kralik, Evan Bruce, Cole Strider, Clayton Stafford, Ethan Freeman and Brandon Berry. Juniors: Khalil Sherrod, Avery Fuller and Derek Paup. Sophomores: Kyle Strider and Pat Varner. Freshman: Cael Turner.

Participation awards – Conner Wiley, Lucas Rushing, Tucker Rohrig, Gavin Millslgale, Dylan Hoepker, Sam Henry, McCoy Haines, Anthony Eblen, Tony Davidson (provisional), Chris Chen, Dylan Calvin, Cade Wurster, Noah Felix, Logan Hansen (provisional), George Weis, Payton Conley (provisional) and Luke Tebbenkamp (provisional).

Distinguished Academic Achievement (3.2-4.0 GPA) – Logan Anson, Brance Baker, Brandon Berry, Kaden Briggs, Caitlin Bruce, Evan Bruce, Colby Burg, Dylan Calvin, Chris Chen, Payton Conley, Ethan Crawford, Tony Davidson, Anthony Eblen, Noah Felix, Ethan Freeman, Avery Fuller, McCoy Haines, Sam Henry, Dylan Hoepker, Cael Kralik, Brookyln McKinney, Gavin Millslagle, Derek Paup, Lucas Rushing, Khalil Sherrod, Tucker Rohrig, Clayton Stafford, Cole Strider, Kyle Strider, Luke Tebbenkamp, Cael Turner, Pat Varner, George Weis, Conner Wiley and Cade Wurster.

Outstanding Defensive Player – Khalil Sherrod.

Outstanding Offensive Player – Colby Burg.

Panther Pride Award – Brandon Berry.

Most Improved Player – Avery Fuller.

Hawkeye 10 all-Conference – Colby Burg (first-team), Kaden Briggs (second-team), Brance Baker and Kael Kralik (honorable mention).

Class 3A all-Substate 8 – Colby Burg.