Panther basketball splits at Atlantic

ATLANTIC – A strong second half sent the Creston Panther boys to a 75-67 win Monday at Atlantic.

Creston erased a 36-29 halftime deficit to score 49 second-half points. Atlantic’s 22 second-quarter points gave the Trojans the advantage at the break.

The Panthers were lead by Cael Turner’s 25 points. He was 9-18 from the field and 7-8 at the free throw line. Two other Panthers scored in double figures. Logan Anson finished with 14 from 6-9 shooting and made both of his free throws. Patrick Varner scored 13. He was 5-9 from the field and 3-4 at the free throw line.

As a team, Creston finished making 29 of 58 of its shots. That includes 2-7 from the 3-point line. The Panthers also were 15-22 from the free throw line. The Panthers took good care of the ball only having seven turnovers. Atlantic had 18 turnovers.

Atlantic was 25-58 shooting including 5-21 from the 3-point line. The Trojans made 12-22 free throws. Atlantic’s top scorer was Colton Rasmussen who had 29 from 11-23 shooting with 1-7 3-point shots.

Creston’s Turner and Varner each had a team high six rebounds. Turner had four steals. Varner had the most assists for Creston with four. Kyle Strider had three.

Creston (7-4) played Tuesday at Glenwood and travel Friday to Harlan.

GIRLS

Three quarters with single-digit scoring limited the Panther girls chances Monday in a 49-33 loss at Atlantic.

Despite the scoring struggle, Creston was able to hold Atlantic to only three points in the second quarter. Atlantic went into halftime on top 14-12. Creston scored six in the first and second quarters.

The Panthers were still keeping the game close in the third quarter as both teams’ offenses traded points. Atlantic was up 28-24 going into the fourth quarter. The last quarter, Atlantic separated itself with a 21-point quarter for the win.

Doryn Paup was high scorer for Creston. She finished with 11 from 3-14 shooting from the field and was 5-6 from the free-throw line. Ella Turner finished with eight points from 4-11 shooting. Keely Coen had six points, all coming from 2-6 3-point shooting.

Paup also had the most rebounds for Creston with 12. Turner had six and Hollynn Rieck finished with three. Turner and Rieck each had four steals. Coen had a team high six assists. Rieck had three.

Paup’s and Turner’s shooting reflect the overall struggle Creston had trying to score. As a team, Creston finished 13-44 from the field including 2-13 from the 3-point line. The 3-point shot has been hard to hit in recent games for the girls. Paup was nearly the only Panther to shoot free throws. As a team, Creston finished 5-8. Creston had 19 turnovers.

Atlantic (12-4) finished 16-46 shooting including 5-17 from the 3-point line. The Trojans were 12-17 at the free throw line. Atlantic had 16 turnovers.

Creston girls are 4-11. The Panthers played Tuesday at Glenwood and travel Friday to Harlan.