May 11, 2025
Local NewsState & National

Turnovers plague Panthers

By CHEYENNE ROCHE
Junior Jake Hoyt puts up a shot Monday against Winterset. Hoyt led the Panthers with 21 points and eight rebounds in the 87-35 loss in the season opener.

Junior Jake Hoyt puts up a shot Monday against Winterset. Hoyt led the Panthers with 21 points and eight rebounds in the 87-35 loss in the season opener. (CNA photo by CHEYENNE ROCHE\)

It was a tale of two teams Monday during the Panthers’ home opener as Winterset excelled and Creston struggled. The Huskies dominated the matchup, winning 87-35.

“We turned the ball over 28 times which is the most we as a program have given up in six years,” Creston Coach Bryce Schafer said. “Fundamentally we did not execute at the level that good teams must, and as the avalanche started to fall faster, many players tried to find excuses.”

The Panthers were only 35% from the field and 0% behind the arc. The Huskies were 59% from the field and knocked back 12 3-pointers.

Senior Tony Davidson goes up for a shot. Davidson had four points Monday.

Senior Tony Davidson goes up for a shot. Davidson had four points Monday. (CNA photo by CHEYENNE ROCHE\)

The only area Creston topped Winterset was in free-throw shooting. The Panthers shot 71.4% compared to the Huskies’ 35.7%.

Twins Hayden and Hudson Wilmes led Winterset, Hayden with 30 points including six 3-pointers and Hudson adding 22 points.

The Panthers were down 55-20 going into the half and only put up 4 points in the third quarter.

“Winterset is a quality team and a difficult matchup early in the season, but we never competed at the level necessary to keep it close,” Schafer said. “One of the most undisciplined performances I’ve seen and that starts and ends with me.”

Junior Jake Hoyt was a bright spot for the Panthers, putting up 21 points, shooting 77% from the field and 100% on free throws. He also led the team with eight rebounds.

Brayden Schoon and Lucas Rushing brought help coming off the bench. Schoon added five rebounds and Rushing put up nine points.

Lucas Rushing releases a mid-range shot under pressure. He added nine points off the bench.

Lucas Rushing releases a mid-range shot under pressure. He added nine points off the bench. (CNA photo by CHEYENNE ROCHE\)

Senior returner Cael Turner didn’t put up any points, but led with two blocks.

“I made it clear after the game that I will not let the failure happen again and take my responsibility very seriously about turning the discipline meter higher in the coming week to put a better product on the floor versus Saint Albert next Tuesday,” Schafer said.

Stats

WINTERSET (87) — Totals — (FG FT PTS) 35 5-14 87. Hayden Wilmes 11 2-2 30; Hudson Wilmes 9 0-1 22; Kade White 4 0-4 8; Sam Hensley 2 1-2 5; Hank Wilmes 2 1-1 5; Luke Linde 2 0-0 4; Carsen Dinkla 1 0-0 3; Jace Bellamy 1 0-0 3; Kaeler Beebe 1 0-0 2; Daxon Weeks 1 0-0 2; Logan Porter 1 0-2 2; Ryley Johnston 0 1-2 1 . 3-point goals — 12 (Hayden 6, Hudson 4, Dinkla 1, Bellamy 1.) Team fouls — 13. Fouled out — None.

CRESTON (35) — Totals — (FG FT PTS) 15 5-7 35. Jake Hoyt 10 1-1 21; Lucas Rushing 3 3-4 9; Tony Davidson 2 0-0 4; Brayden Schoon 0 1-2 1. 3-point goals — None. Team fouls — 14. Fouled out — None.

Cheyenne Roche

CHEYENNE ROCHE

Originally from Wisconsin, Cheyenne has a journalism and political science degree from UW-Eau Claire and a passion for reading and learning. She lives in Creston with her husband and their two little dogs.