No. 2 Huskies pull away, 53-30
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| Creston sophomore Natalie Mostek launches a shot against the defense of Winterset's Jessie Eyerly during Monday's nonconference game here. Mostek led the Panthers with 12 points in the 53-30 loss. (CNA photo by LARRY PETERSON) |
A week of facing rated opponents started off OK for the Creston girls here Monday, locked in a 10-10 tie after one quarter with Class 4A second-ranked Winterset.
The Huskies’ quickness on offense and in their defensive pressure eventually took its toll on the younger Panther squad in a 53-30 triumph. Winterset, which trounced Interstate 35 71-20 in its opener, moved to 2-0.
Creston, now 2-1, got outscored 15-6 in the second quarter and 16-3 in the third to fall behind, 41-19.
Mariah Criswell, a smooth sophomore guard joining four seniors in the starting lineup, led Winterset with 18 points. Point guard Taylor Benshoof added 15. Sophomore Natalie Mostek managed 12 points as the lone double-figure scorer for Creston, while also drawing the defensive duty against the athletic Criswell.
“I thought Natalie did a pretty good job on her for the most part,” said Creston coach Larry McNutt. “They do a good job of running the dribble drive offense because they’re quick. We played pretty good defense and challenged them early. In the second and third quarters we just couldn’t put the ball in the basket.”
Winterset coach Doug Messerchmitt praised the Panthers for hanging with his team through eight minutes, despite giving up several turnovers as the Huskies pressured the passing lanes.
“Creston played toe to toe with us in the first quarter,” Messerschmitt said. “I was impressed with them. I think fatigue got to them. We have to play at that pace, we’re too small.”
Messerschmitt said his team models its offense after the University of Iowa women’s read-and-react offense, with several quick cuts and handoffs taking place on the perimeter to take advantage of driving lanes.
“Mariah keeps the ball moving and makes things happen,” Messerchmitt said. “This was a good game for us to play right now, because Creston challenges you defensively.”
Creston was hampered in the guard court by illness affecting junior guard Chelcee Downing, who scored in double figures in last week’s win over Mount Ayr. Zaidy Frank and Olivia Nielsen combined for seven points inside, and no one else scored more than two.
“We have to do a better job with our shot fakes, because that (size disadvantage) will be the case for us all year,” McNutt said.
Creston faces another tough task at home Friday, hosting No. 14-ranked Lewis Central, which routed Sioux City North in its opener, 42-18. The Titans face Sioux City East tonight.
WINTERSET (53) — Mariah Criswell 7 2-6 18, Taylor Benshoof 6 3-4 15, Michaela Hoffelmeyer 2 0-0 5, Savanna Marker 1 2-2 5, Jessie Eyerly 2 0-0 4, Darby Messerschmitt 1 0-0 3, Karly Olson 1 0-0 2, Sam Moss 0 1-4 1. Totals — 24 8-16 53. FG shooting — 24-59 (40.7 percent). 3-point goals — 5-14 (Criswell 2, Hoffelmeyer 1, Marker 1, Messerchmitt 1). Steals — 21. Rebounds — 28. Turnovers — 26. Team fouls — 9. Fouled out — None.
CRESTON (30) — Natalie Mostek 6 0-1 12, Zaidy Frank 2 0-0 4, Olivia Nielsen 1 1-1 3, Chelcee Downing 1 0-0 2, Sadie Jones 1 0-0 2, Emma Johnson 0 2-3 2, Jenna Taylor 1 0-0 2, Alli Thomsen 1 0-0 2, Maria Mostek 0 1-1 1. Totals — 13 4-6 30. FG shooting — 13-40 (32.5 percent). 3-point goals — 0-4. Rebounds — 26 (N. Mostek 8, Maitlen 7, Baker 4, Frank 3). Assists — 6 (Baker 3, Maitlen 2). Steals — 6 (Thomsen 2). Turnovers — 27. Team fouls — 14. Fouled out — None.
Winterset — 10 25 41 53
Creston — 10 16 19 30
JUNIOR VARSITY
Post players Jenna Taylor and Olivia Nielsen scored 18 and 14 points, respectively, to roll over Winterset’s JV Monday, 49-19.
Guard Taylor Briley had six steals and Taylor added four thefts as the Panther defense dominated the Huskies.
“Olivia got some good looks at the high post, and our defense got in the passing lanes well,” said freshman coach Mallory Peterson, subbing in the absence of JV coach Mendy McCreight. “Our defense got us into some fast breaks.”
Creston (49) — Jenna Taylor 18, Olivia Nielsen 14, Sadie Jones 8, Taylor Briley 7, Maria Mostek 2. 3-point goals — None. Free throws — 3-6. Rebounds — Taylor 7, Nielsen 6, Camryn Somers 2, Jones 2. Steals — Briley 6, Taylor 4, Jones 2, Caitlin McIlravy 2. Assists — Taylor 3, Briley 2. Team fouls — 5. Halftime score — Creston 21, Winterset 8.
Winterset (19) — Carley Fulcher 16, Molly Eyerly 9, Allison Clifton 2, Kylee Crouse 2. 3-point goals — 1. Free throws — 0-0. Team fouls — 6.
FRESHMEN
Creston bolted to a 47-9 lead in the first half on the way to routing the Winterset freshmen, 63-11.
Camryn Somers had 15 points and five rebounds for the Panthers (2-0). Jenna Taylor added 11 points and Gracie Russell scored 10 points for the Panthers.
“Defensively we got a lot of steals and we ran the floor really well,” coach Mallory Peterson said. “We got some good looks down low offensively.”
Creston (63) — Camryn Somers 15, Jenna Taylor 11, Gracie Russell 10, Alli Thomsen 6, Taylor Briley 4, Caitlin McIlravy 4, Sydney Dunphy 4, Becca Ross 2, Jessica Beatty 2. 3-point goals — None. Free throws — 11-19. Rebounds — Somers 5, Taylor 3, Dunphy 2, Shelby Palser 2. Steals — McIlravy 7, Briley 4, Grussell 4, Taylor 3. Assists — Beatty 3, McIlravy 2. Team fouls — 11. Halftime score — Creston 47, Winterset 9.
Winterset (11) — C.J. Carter 6, Kendra Carney 3, Alisan Clifton 2. 3-point goals — None. Free throws — 3-6. Team fouls — 12.
