Panthers drop fourth straight

A Friday night conference matchup against Red Oak (8-9) was a must-win game on Senior Night for Creston boys basketball, with the results coming down to the final eight minutes.

The Panthers (7-8) weren’t able to close things out, marking their fourth consecutive loss of the season, this time falling 49-43.

Creston, trailing 27-20 at the beginning of the second half, went on a 12-5 run to tie the game at 32 five minutes into the third quarter. Cole Strider knocked down two free throws and a 3-pointer to give the Panthers a momentum swing, resulting in the run.

Nearing the end of the third quarter, a coast-to-coast layup from Evan Bruce gave Creston its first lead of the game at 34-33. Two one-handed free throws from Ryan Johnson gave Red Oak a 35-34 lead entering the final eight minutes.

Both sides started in the bonus, with free throws becoming a key factor throughout the remainder of the game. Red Oak entered Friday shooting 51.4% and Creston shooting 59.4% from the free-throw line.

“I had two timeouts, and I used them after makes to try and get some press set up,” Creston head coach Bryce Schafer said. “But at the end of the day, you can only want to go to the free-throw line, and we got 26 attempts. It’s frustrating because those numbers should go in your favor. Even if we shot 65% we win the game, but we don’t.”

Creston finished the game 14-for-26 from the free-throw line.

Colby Burg knocked down two of his three made free throws at 6:18 to put Creston up 36-35, but Red Oak freshman Max DeVries knocked down a 3-pointer, giving the Tigers a two-point lead to put them on a 9-3 run to force a timeout.

Creston began to give up turnovers which led to Red Oak points. The Panthers stayed in the game with big plays at the end of the game, but 2-for-6 in the final six free throws hurt Creston.

Red Oak turned the ball over after a travel on an inbound trap from Creston’s defense and another turnover led to a spinning mid-range jump shot near the free-throw line from Kyle Strider to bring the game to within two for the Panthers, 45-43.

“Down two, down three, all I told them was, ‘get downhill,’” Schafer said. “We didn’t execute that at all. The last 40 seconds we pulled up for deep threes, rather than getting downhill – which I know, get to the line – but even if we get four attempts, shooting 50% and all of a sudden it’s tie ball game or down one and anything is possible.”

After a Creston timeout, the Tigers played keep away with less than one minute remaining, breaking Creston’s press before a foul. DeVries knocked down both free throws to go up 47-43.

Creston came down the floor and put up a quick 3-pointer, which went off the rim. In the final seconds, Red Oak went 2-for-4 from the free-throw line to seal the deal.

With the loss marking the first four-game skid since 2018, Schafer said he needs to see his group battle throughout all 32 minutes.

“I just need to see fight, that they care,” Schafer said. “I know they do, but there is a difference between turning it on when the energy is up and turning it on when we need it for four quarters. This group is just not doing that. I need to see a group of five players on the floor that have it for four quarters, and I’m going to go as deep in as I can.”

Senior Night honors

Before the game, Creston honored a large senior class, consisting of nine players.

Brance Baker, Cael Kralik, Colby Burg, Ethan Freeman, Kaden Briggs, Clayton Stafford, Brandon Berry, Cole Strider and Evan Bruce made up the boys group honored.

Baker and Kralik both have dealt with injuries throughout their senior season. Baker played in seven games, but ultimately had surgery in January, ending his season.

Kralik, however, had not played all season, until Friday. As an important part of the program throughout his career, Kralik warmed up with the team and started the game. Creston won the tip and took a 10-second penalty as the crowd, his teammates and coaching staff allowed him to enter his lone game of the season.

“He deserves an ovation for what he’s done for this program,” Schafer said. “Brance was able to get that while he was still playing and get out that way against Denison, so it was nice to be able to do something to recognize all (Kralik) has put in. It’s bittersweet.”

UP NEXT – Creston hosts Clarinda (9-8) at home today (Monday) at 7:30 p.m.

Red Oak 49, Creston 43

RED OAK (49) — (FG FT PTS) Totals — 14 15-26 49. Ryan Johnson 7 4-6 19, Garrett Couse 2 2-5 8, Kaden Johnson 2 2-3 7, Max DeVries 2 2-3 7, Baylor Bergren 1 1 -2 4, Bradley Sifford 4-8 4. 3-point goals — 6 (Couse 2, R. Johnson 1, K. Johnson 1, DeVries 1, Bergren 1). Team fouls — 15. Fouled out — None.

CRESTON (43) — (FG FT PTS) Totals — 15 14-26 43. Evan Bruce 5 0-0 13, Kyle Strider 3 2-2 8, Colby Burg 2 3-7 7, Cole Strider 1 3-8 6, Kaden Briggs 2 1-2 5, Khalil Sherrod 2 0-0 4. 3-point goals — 4 (Bruce 3, C. Strider 1). Team fouls — 20. Fouled out — Kyle Strider.