January 09, 2026
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Drought continues for Panther boys

By CHEYENNE ROCHE
Nate Carroll looks for an opening to the basket Tuesday at home against Clarinda. Carroll knocked down two 3-pointers in the fourth quarter.

Nate Carroll looks for an opening to the basket Tuesday at home against Clarinda. Carroll knocked down two 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. (CNA photo by CHEYENNE ROCHE)

Despite being down 23-17 at the half Tuesday at home against Clarinda, the Panther boys had several opportunities to close the gap in the second half.

In the third quarter, Rhett Driskell hit a 3-pointer followed by buckets from the field by Tanner Ray and Baret Lane to make it a 2-point game, 26-24.

The third quarter ended with a 3-pointer by Clarinda to open a 33-26 lead.

Creston’s Nate Carroll hit two threes in the fourth to bring it back to a 3-point game, but from there, the Panther offense stalled, eventually falling 44-33 in their second conference game of the season.

“We were able to hold them to poor possession throughout the second half but were just unable to secure points on the other end that would have given us a late game lead to play with,” Creston coach Bryce Schafer said.

Driskell led Panther scoring with 12. Carroll put up six and Lane added five. The loss drops Creston to 0-8 overall and 0-2 in conference play.

Creston’s Ayden Purdum fights for a rebound in a 44-33 loss to Clarinda.

Creston’s Ayden Purdum fights for a rebound in a 44-33 loss to Clarinda. (CNA photo by CHEYENNE ROCHE)

“I thought our intensity level and energy were really good, and if we continue to play with that we will see much improvement throughout the season,” Schafer said. “We had individuals step up and knock down shots from the perimeter like Nate Carroll, Baret Lane, Cael Barton and Rhett Driskell, but the inability to hit the easy ones around the rim really put us in a disadvantageous situation.”

Creston hit six shots behind the arc including three from Driskell.

The Cardinals hit four, two from senior Sam Kline who led the way for Clarinda, logging a game-high 19 points.

Though it was another loss for the Panthers Tuesday, Schafer said he saw movement in the right direction.

Creston senior Cael Barton goes up for a mid-range jump shot against Clarinda defender Cooper Baumgart.

Creston senior Cael Barton goes up for a mid-range jump shot against Clarinda defender Cooper Baumgart. (CNA photo by CHEYENNE ROCHE)

“As I told our players after the game, wins are secured with winning plays — turnovers, poor shot selection, made layups, securing rebounds and winning 50/50 plays,” he said. “We didn’t control those areas and that was our demise.”

Tuesday marked the first in a nine-game conference stretch for the Panthers that continues Friday at Denison-Schleswig.

The Monarchs are 1-7 on the season, only defeating East Sac County in mid-December.

Denison’s strongest player is Blaine Grady, a 6-6 senior averaging 13.4 points per game.

Creston will be looking for their first win and a chance to get out of the bottom of the Hawkeye 10.

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.