Panther girls edged after strong start
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| Brianna Maitlen of Creston goes up for a lefthanded hook shot Friday night against two Red Oak defenders, including Blake Bergren (31). Maitlen had a team-high 17 points and four steals in the Panthers' 41-39 loss. (CNA photo by LARRY PETERSON) |
A squandered opportunity.
That’s how Creston girls coach Larry McNutt described a 41-39 loss to Red Oak here Friday on senior recognition night.
In a much better performance than a 64-31 drubbing in Red Oak on Dec. 21, the Panthers came out strong with a 6-2 lead and 9-7 advantage after one period. Red Oak inched ahead 19-18 at halftime, but it was apparent that it was going to be a defensive battle to the wire.
“Credit to Creston and Larry,” said first-year Red Oak coach Dan Martinez, who guided the Tiger boys program for many years. “They definitely had us defended. They sagged inside more and we didn’t even look to shoot the three.”
In the first meeting, Blake Bergren made two 3-pointers in scoring 17 points, and Kate Walker had a trey while netting 13 points. Six-foot center Grace Blomstedt had 14 points.
On Friday, Blomstedt managed a team-high 12 points, Bergren was limited to 10 and Walker nine.
“We got off to a good start and defensively we played well,” McNutt said. “We really should have won. I feel sorry for the girls. If we keep them off the offensive board, we win that game. We need to take advantage of opportunities.”
Instead of knocking off a team ahead of them in the Hawkeye 10 standings, Creston fell to 2-10 in the league and 5-14 overall heading into Saturday’s game at Lewis Central. Red Oak improved to 5-6 in league play and 9-11 overall.
Brianna Maitlen, one of two seniors honored along with guard Emma Johnson, had 17 points to lead the Panthers. The other inside starter, junior Zaidy Frank, had 11 points.
“Creston got the ball inside effectively against us,” Martinez said. “Their post players played well in the second half against us over there, and we knew they were good. That little 14 (Frank), she played a great first half. Her energy was above everybody else’s — going after rebounds, going after loose balls.”
After trailing 37-32 early in the fourth quarter, Creston got a bucket by Maitlen from a Chelcee Downing assist, and Frank got a transition layup off a steal to get it within one.
Maitlen’s free throw at the 3:18 mark tied it 37-37. Walker scored to make it 39-37, but Maitlen tied it again for Creston at :52.
With under 30 seconds to go, Creston had the ball in a tied game, but lost it on a dribbling turnover.
Bergren seized the opportunity by getting fouled on a drive to the basket, and converted both free throws for a 41-39 edge with 11 seconds left.
Creston called a timeout at :09.
Downing’s 3-point attempt was left of the rim, and time ran out during the scramble for the rebound.
“We were trying to get a screen at the high post to get to the basket and we didn’t get to the basket like they did when they got up two,” McNutt said. “If we get it to the lane we give ourselves a chance. We had a chance earlier with the ball when it was tied, but we lost it.”
In addition to the two senior players, honored before the game with their parents were statistician Britany Irelan and cheerleaders Jana Johnson, Sam McDonald, Sydney Rogers, Carlea Schuler and Lauren Tucker.
Sophomore guard Brenna Baker sang the national anthem on a special “Color Blast” activity night, with the sale of tie-dyed T-shirts and other promotions to raise funds for cancer research and assist students fighting diseases. In addition, the Panther girls teams wore pink uniforms to honor cancer awareness.
CRESTON (39) — Brianna Maitlen 8 1-2 17, Zaidy Frank 5 1-2 11, Natalie Mostek 1 3-4 5, Brenna Baker 2 0-0 4, Chelcee Downing 0 2-2 2. Totals — 16 7-10 39. FG shooting — 16-55 (29.1 percent). 3-point goals — 0-6. Steals — 6 (Maitlen 4). Rebounds — 26 (Frank 9, Baker 5, Maitlen 4, N. Mostek 4). Turnovers — 12. Team fouls — 11. Fouled out — none.
RED OAK (41) — Grace Blomstedt 6 0-0 12, Blake Bergren 3 4-4 10, Kate Walker 4 1-2 9, Sabrina Guerra 2 0-0 4, Madison Gilbert 2 0-0 4, Bailey Hawkins 1 0-0 2. Totals — 18 5-7 41. FG shooting — 18-51 (35.3 percent). 3-point goals — 0-5. Rebounds — 36. Assists — 8. Steals — 5. Blocked shots — 7. Turnovers — 14. Team fouls — 13. Fouled out — None.
Creston — 9 18 30 39
Red Oak — 7 19 33 41
JUNIOR VARSITY
After leading 38-17 at halftime, the Creston JV girls went on a 19-7 run in the third quarter on the way to a 65-36 victory over Red Oak Friday night at Creston Middle School.
Four Panthers scored in double figures, led by Taylor Briley with 16 points and four steals. Sadie Jones had 14 points and four assists, and Camryn Somers provided 13 points and 13 rebounds.
“We came out playing strong and did a great job of taking care of the little things,” coach Mendy McCreight said.
Creston (65) — Taylor Briley 16, Sadie Jones 14, Camryn Somers 13, Olivia Nielsen 10, Alli Thomsen 6, Maria Mostek 2, Jenna Taylor 2, Brooke Thelen 2. 3-point goals — 0-2. Free throws — 13-22. Rebounds — 36 (Somers 13, Briley 7, Jones 6, Taylor 4). Steals — 8 (Briley 4, Jones 2). Assists — 14 (Jones 4, M. Mostek 3). Blocks — 4 (Taylor 4). Team fouls — 13. Halftime score — Creston 38, Red Oak 17.
Red Oak (36).
FRESHMEN
Creston freshmen earned their second lopsided win of the season over Red Oak, taking a 43-11 halftime lead on the way to a 71-28 victory.
“We were moving the ball up the floor well,” said coach Mallory Peterson, whose squad dominated transition with 19 steals.
Camryn Somers had 21 points and seven steals for the Panthers (9-5).
Creston (71) — Camryn Somers 21, Taylor Briley 10, Gracie Russell 10, Alli Thomsen 8, Caitlin McIlravy 8, Sydney Dunphy 6, Jenna Taylor 6, Becca Ross 2. 3-point goals — None. Free throws — 17-24. Rebounds — Somers 4, Russell 3. Steals — Somers 7, McIlravy 6, Thomsen 3. Assists — Dunphy 3. Team fouls — 13. Halftime score — Creston 32, Red Oak 11.
Red Oak (28) — Maysen Havener 14, Angela Mahoney 6, Carson Poe 6, Jasmine Forward 1, Brooke Janssen 1. 3-point goals — None. Free throws — 6-8. Team fouls — 16.
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