Creston’s late shot topped by Trojans’ buzzer three

The last two minutes of the girls basketball game Monday between Creston (8-7) and Atlantic (10-7) had fans on the edge of their seats.

With 1:40 left to play, Creston held a 38-36 lead. The Trojans took over 39-38 after an uncontested triple by Atlantic’s Makenna Schroeder.

On Creston’s next possession, senior Ella Turner drove the lane, putting up a jump shot just past the free throw line to take a one-point lead.

Another wide open 3-pointer by Schroeder put Creston back in the hotseat as they trailed 42-40 with one minute left to play.

When the Panthers turned the ball over with 44 seconds left, the Trojans slowed down the pace, running time down with their two-point lead.

The Creston girls played tight defense as Atlantic passed the ball around.

While Atlantic freshman Leighton Wailes tried to keep the ball away from Creston’s Hollynn Rieck, she traveled, resulting in a crucial turnover for the Panthers.

Creston had 23 seconds to make up the two-point difference.

Rieck drove the middle before kicking it out left to senior Braylee Pokorny. Without hesitating, Pokorny put up the shot, draining the triple to get Creston a one-point advantage with 10 seconds to play.

The Creston crowd and bench was wild as the Panthers looked to secure the hard-fought conference victory.

Atlantic didn’t get the ball over half court until just three seconds remained.

Zirchhoff knew just who to get the ball to — Schroeder sitting wide open on the left side. With 0.1 on the clock, the ball left Schroeder’s hands. It was nothing but net as the Trojans snatched a 45-43 victory out from under Creston.

It was deja vu for the Panthers as just last month, Schroeder hit a buzzer three against Creston to send the game into overtime. Atlantic won that game 54-51.

“We made plays at the end, but they made one more,” Creston coach Tony Neubauer said. “They’re a good team. It would have been nice to get that one but sometimes that’s how basketball works out.”

The Panthers had the advantage for much of the game, leading 13-8 after the first quarter and 23-21 at the half. A slow third quarter by Creston erased their lead.

Neubauer said Atlantic’s press sped up the Panthers at times, causing them to play a little sloppier than they’d like. Creston had 28 turnovers.

Kadley Bailey and Ella Turner led the Panthers in scoring, each with 11. Rieck and Pokorny added seven each. The late 3-pointer by Pokorny was just her second make from behind the arc this season.

Pokorny was also vital on the boards, coming away with eight rebounds. Turner had seven and Marlee Stalker added six off the bench.

“Ella was big down the stretch, obviously Braylee came in and gave us a big three. Marlee gave us some good minutes,” Neubauer said. “Just got to keep fighting.”

Creston had no time to mourn the loss as they were back in action Tuesday at Glenwood (8-6) in a Hawkeye 10 match up. The Rams won the bout 44-41.

Friday Creston hosts a doubleheader with Harlan (5-10). Monday Creston hosts Clarke for senior night.

ATLANTIC (45) — stats unavailable

CRESTON (43) — Totals — (FG FT PTS) 15 8-14 43. Kadley Bailey 4 1-2 11, Ella Turner 4 3-4 11, Hollynn Rieck 2 2-2 7, Braylee Pokorny 2 1-2 7, Marlee Stalker 2 0-0 5, Jensan Tussey 1 0-0 2. FG shooting — 15/46 (32.6 percent). 3-point goals — 5/15 (Bailey 2, Rieck 1, Pokorny 1, Stalker 1). Rebounds — 29 (Pokorny 8, Turner 7, Stalker 6, Rieck 4, Brynn Tussey 4). Assists — 9 (Rieck 3, Turner 2, Bailey 1, Pokorny 1, B. Tussey 1, J. Tussey 1). Steals — 2 (Turner 1, J. Tussey 1). Blocked shots — 0. Turnovers — 28. Team fouls — 7. Fouled out — None.