Panther girls season ends at Winterset

WINTERSET — Creston girls struggled on offense during its 51-23 loss Wednesday at Winterset in the first round of the Region 3 quarterfinals.

Creston’s first, and only, basket of the first quarter was when Brynn Tussey scored in the lane at the 3:01 mark.

“We just didn’t get settled on offense,” said Creston coach Tony Neubauer. “You’ve got to score more than 23 points to win a basketball game.”

The Huskies started off productive with three consecutive 3-point shots to take a 9-0 lead. Neubauer called a timeout at the 6:09 mark after the second 3-point shot and how Creston was not in sync on offense.

Neubauer said the struggles were nothing the team has not experienced during the season from transition play, playing against a zone and rebounds.

“Same stuff we have struggled with,” he said.

The second quarter was more productive for Creston. Hollynn Rieck scored Creston’s fourth point off an early steal. That would be the start to a 12-point quarter for Creston.

Creston had a short run later in the quarter when Kadley Bailey, Ella Turner and Tussey combined for eight points. The scores cut the deficit to 15.

“We had it down to 15,” Nuebuaer said “We had a good job of buckling down. I was happy with the second quarter.”

Winterset went into the break up 32-14.

The Panthers could not continue in the second half with a scoring run as they only scored three points. Winterset was able to extend and maintain its lead the rest of the way.

Neubauer said this year’s team did show growth as the season progressed. Creston only has one senior this year in Lydia Goins. Neubuaer said he was grateful for her contributions.

“We are in a unique situation as we return the majority of what we have this year. Last two years were were 6-15 and 6-16. That’s not where you want to be at but some times you have to go through to be where you want to be. I will never fault the effort. The effort is there we are just a product of our youth and experience.”

All five Creston starters from the 2022-2023 season graduated in 2023.

As a team, Creston finished the game 9-45 shooting including 1-12 from the 3-point line. The Panthers were 4-8 at the free throw line. Winterset outrebounded Creston 41-30.

Creston had 20 turnovers.

Tussey was one of two Panthers to finish with a team high six points. Tussey was 3-10 shooting. Ella Turner also had six points from 2-6 shooting and 2-5 at the free throw line. Goins finished with four points from one basket and 2-3 at the free throw line.

Makenna Olson led Winterset with 16 poionts. Brynn Action had 10 rebounds for the Huskies. As a team, Winterset finished 17-54 shooting including 6-21 from the 3-point line. Winterset was 11018 at the free throw line and had 10 turnovers.

Creston finishes the season at 6-16. Winterset (11-11) advances to play Feb. 17 at Glenwood.