Even though the Creston girls basketball team finished with a record of 6-17 overall and 3-10 in the Hawkeye 10 Conference this year, the message head coach Larry McNutt gave at the team’s postseason awards banquet Tuesday in the CHS commons was one of hope.

The Panthers lose two seniors in Brianna Maitlen and Emma Johnson, but return some key pieces for next year.

“We’re really excited about our underclassmen,” McNutt said. “We’re going to miss Bri and Emma a lot, but I think we’ve got a great group of underclassmen. I think with some hard work, some commitment in the offseason, and from talking with them, it’s just so much different than it was a year ago. They really want to do it, I believe. We’re looking forward to a great offseason. I appreciate them wanting to put the time in to get better.”