Panther boys race to win at Clarinda

CLARINDA — If chess is a battle of wits, Creston and Clarinda boys were in a battle of speed Tuesday. Creston had more in its tank to win 70-55.

“That’s been what have we wanted to be all year,” said Creston coach Bryce Schafer about the fast-paced game strategy. “This is the first time it came together for an entire game. The way they (Clarinda) played facilitated that too.”

The pace to start the game reflected on the scoreboard as baskets and points were traded. Clarinda had a 8-5 lead before Creston’s Jake Hoyt made a 3-point basket to tie the game with 4:30 left in the quarter.

That provided an additional gear for Creston as Hoyt continued to score before the end of the quarter to build a 15-9 lead going into the second quarter.

Creston continued to maintain the lead in the second quarter. Clarinda’s Noah Harris’ free throw cut the deficit to 17-12 barely two minutes into the second. The Panthers scored eight of the next 10 points in about a two minute time span to increase the lead to 25-14 with 3:50 left until halftime.

“We’ve tightened up our line up. I’m comfortable with the guys that are in there,” coach Schafer said. “We did a real good job moving the ball.”

Before half, Clarinda showed its speed and productivity at times. Cooper Phillips’ two free throws cut the Creston lead to 27-21 with 1:52 left in the half.

Creston built a double-digit lead in the third quarter. The half started with Creston’s Tommy Sand and Parker Varner both making baskets to tive Creston a 34-21 lead. The teams traded baskets for much of the quarter before Clarinda made a run to trim the deficit to single digits. Clarinda’s Cain Wellhausen’s basket cut the Creston lead to 42-37 with 1:07 in the third quarter.

At times, Creston put up shots when there was no one in position to rebound, mainly when Creston shot from the outside. The situation was not as threatening as it looked.

“We are going to see it on film. It will change with Schoon back in the lineup,” Schafer said. Brayden Schoon missed the game because of an ankle sprain suffered at Atlantic. Schafer hopes he will be back next week.

Clarinda’s threat was shortlived as the Panthers’ Cael Barton and Ray’s 3-point shot put Creston back up 10 the end of the third quarter.

Ray finished as high score for Creston with 18 points. He was 5-6 shooting, made all three of his 3-point attempts and was 5-7 at the free throw line.

Hoyt finished with 14 from 6-14 shooting and 1-2 from the 3 point line. He made one of three free throws. Rhett Driskell finished with 14 from 5-11 shooting and 4-8 from the 3-point line.

“We were really unselfish. Jake is the guy. Everyone knows he is the guy. He did take a backseat and facilitated to the others because they were hitting shots,” Schaefer said.

Schafer said Ray had a “great offensive game. "

As a team, Creston finished 25-54 shooting and was 12-25 from the 3-point line. The Panthers were 8-14 from the free throw line. Creston outrebounded Clarinda 31-24. Creston had 16 turnovers to Clarinda’s 12.

Creston maintained the lead the fourth quarter. Schafer said despite Clarinda cutting the defecit to six, he was pleased with how his team responded with baskets to keep Clarinda at bay.

“We never really had a rhythm going into the Christmas break. We were still trying ot figure pieces out. We are getting in the right direction,” Schafer said.

Hoyt led Creston with 13 rebounds. Parker Varner had four assists to lead Creston.

Ryan Wagoner was high score for Clarinda with 14 points. Sam Kline finished with 10.

Creston (3-5) hosts Denison-Schleswig Friday after the girl’s game.

STATS

CRESTON (70) — Totals — (FG FT PTS) 37 8-14 70. Rhett Driskell 5 0-2 14, Josh Schaefer 3 0-0 8, Parker Varner 3 0-0 5, Jake Hoyt, 7 1-3 14, Tommy Sand 2 0-0 4, Cael Barton 3 2-2 7, Tanner Ray 7 5-7 18. FG shooting — 25/54 (46.3 percent). 3-point goals — 12 Driskell 4, Schaefer 2, Varner 1, Hoyt 1, Barton 1, Ray 3). Rebounds — 31 (Driskell 3, Schaefer 4, Varner 4, Hoyt 13, Barton 3, Ray 4). Assists — 15 (Driskell 3, Schaefer 3, Varner 4, Hoyt 3, Sand 1, Barton 1). Steals — 7 (Driskell 3, Varner 2, Hoyt 1, Ray 1). Turnovers — 16. Team fouls — 16. Fouled out — None.

CLARINDA (55) — Totals — (FG FT PTS) 24 13-18 55. Kyle Wagoner 1 2-2 4, Ryan Wagoner 8 1-1 14, Warner Schmitt 1 3-4 5, Sam Kline 5, 1-2, 10, Cooper Baumgart 4, 2-2, 8, Cooper Phillips, 1 2-2 4, Noah Harris 2 2-3 5, Cain Wellhausen 2 1-2 5. FG shooting — 18-50 (36 percent). 3-point goals — 6 (R Wagoner 3, Kline 1, Baumgart 2). Steals — 7 (Kline 3, Baumgart 2, Phillips 1, Wellhausen 1). Rebounds — 24 (R Wagoner 5, Schmitt 7, Kline 5, Baumgart 4, Phillips 2, Harris 1 ). Turnovers — 12. Team fouls — 18. Fouled out — none.