Panther boys edge Earlham, 55-53

EARLHAM — With a 12-6 season record and two seniors (Carter Hohertz and Blake Reynolds) producing 17 points a game, Creston coach Bryce Schafer knew how dangerous the Cardinals could be in the open court in Thursday’s non-conference matchup.

After the Panthers opened strong with a 14-8 lead through one quarter, Schafer’s worst nightmares about the capabilities of the Cardinals became a reality in a 14-2 run to open the second period. Suddenly, Earlham was in front, 22-16. Reynolds and Blaine Tiedemann each drained two 3-pointers in the second quarter.

“We knew coming in it would be predicated on their transition offense and their ability to shoot the three,” Schafer said. “Early in the game they didn’t hit some shots. That run that they made, they did hit shots, and our transition defense was horrific. We let Reynolds get in a rhythm, and we gave up a lot of easy baskets in those transition possessions.”

The Panthers withstood the Cardinals’ flurry and rallied from a 27-25 halftime deficit to win, 55-53.

After the game was tied 34-34 entering the fourth quarter, Creston sophomore guard Rhett Driskell had a hot streak of four 3-pointers mixed in with close-range shots by Parker Varner and Jake Hoyt to push the Panthers ahead, 51-46.

From there, the final two minutes was a case of Creston executing against Earlham’s pressure with just enough scoring to hold off the Cardinals for the two-point win.

The lead was shaved to one point (53-52) on Carter Hohertz’s drive with 16 seconds left. Driskell was fouled and made one of two free throws to make it 54-52. Caleb Smith, Earlham’s all-district running back and track star, was fouled on a drive with 3.2 seconds left.

Smith made the first free throw to cut it back to one point, but missed the second and Hoyt grabbed the rebound for Creston. Hoyt made one of two free throws after being fouled for the final 55-53 score as Earlham was unable to score with 1.3 seconds left.

“When Rhett made those threes we needed it because we were like 1 for 17 in the first half from the arc,” Schafer said. “Rhett got hot and Parker put in one or two around the same time, and that started to turn the tide. Brayden (Schoon) and Jake hit some critical free throws for us. I think that puts us at 7-1 on the road this year.”

Hoyt finished with 19 points and 19 rebounds as the Panthers improved to 10-8 overall. Driskell scored 17 points. Varner and Josh Schaefer combined for 15 points. Varner had five steals and three assists, and Schaefer was credited with a strong defensive effort against Earlham’s top shooters. Schoon had seven rebounds and three assists while scoring four points.

Creston hosts Clarinda on senior night Monday night. Panther seniors are Casen Dryden, Tyler Riley, Tommy Sand, Eli Schaffer, Schaefer, Varner and Hoyt.

EARLHAM (53) — Totals — (FG FT PTS) 21 3-6 53. Blake Reynolds 8 0-0 19, Carter Hohertz 7 2-4 17, Blaine Tiedemann 4 0-0 11, Griffin Messer 1 0-0 3, Brady Reynolds 1 0-0 2, Caleb Smith 0 1-2 1. 3-point goals — 8 (Tiedemann 3, Bl. Reynolds 3, Hohertz 1, Messer 1). Team fouls — 12. Fouled out — none.

CRESTON (55) — Totals — (FG FT PTS) 21 7-10 55. Jake Hoyt 8 3-5 19, Rhett Driskell 6 1-3 17, Parker Varner 3 1-1 8, Josh Schaefer 3 0-0 7, Brayden Schoon 1 2-2 4. FG shooting — 21-59 (35.6 percent). 3-point goals — 6-27 (Driskell 4, Varner 1, Schaefer 1). Rebounds — 42 (Hoyt 19, Schoon 7, Varner 5, Schaefer 5, Driskell 5). Assists — 15 (Varner 5, Driskell 3, Schoon 3). Steals — 6 (Varner 3). Blocked shots — 8 (Hoyt 4, Schaefer 2). Turnovers — 15. Team fouls — 9. Fouled out — None.