The Creston Panthers showcased an impressive performance on senior night, decisively defeating the Clarke Community Indians 80-42. The match, held on March 4, 2024, saw the Panthers establish an early lead, scoring seven points within the first 1:11 of the game. This victory marks a significant turnaround for Creston, who improved their record to 4-12 following a challenging start to the season.
Creston displayed remarkable shooting prowess, sinking a season-high 16 three-pointers out of 33 attempts, resulting in a shooting percentage of 48.5%. The Clarke team, now with a record of 4-14, struggled throughout the game, unable to match the Panthers’ offensive efficiency.
Bryce Schafer, head coach of the Panthers, expressed pride in his team’s performance, highlighting the newfound confidence among the players. “We’re finally seeing a group of guys who never really had the confidence that they were able to win. That’s the freedom I think you’re seeing on the floor,” Schafer noted. He acknowledged that the team could have secured additional victories earlier in the season, emphasizing their resilience and energy during difficult times.
Prior to the match, seniors Cael Barton, CT Stalker, Hector Suazo, Jaxson Jondle, Nathan Carroll, and Ayden Purdum were honored alongside their parents. Unfortunately, senior Waymond Foster was unable to attend due to illness.
The first quarter set the tone for the evening, with Nathan Carroll making a dramatic 30-foot three-pointer at the buzzer to conclude the quarter with the Panthers leading comfortably at 21-7. Rhett Driskell led all players with a career-high 28 points, contributing significantly to the team’s offensive success.
In the second quarter, the Panthers erupted with a flurry of five three-pointers from Tanner Ray, Stalker, Barton, and Driskell, extending their lead to 40-11. Coach Schafer utilized his bench extensively, allowing a total of ten players to score throughout the game, with seven contributing at least one three-pointer.
The game was so one-sided that the state’s 35-point running clock mercy rule was implemented five minutes into the third quarter, following Driskell’s fifth three-pointer that pushed the Panthers ahead 66-30.
Looking ahead, Creston’s next challenge comes with a home game against the Earlham Cardinals, a team currently holding a record of 10-8. Schafer acknowledged the strengths of Earlham, particularly senior Griffin Messer, a notable shooter. “They like tempo. Obviously, I’m happy with how well we played on the offensive end tonight, but I also think we gave up too many points,” he reflected, indicating areas for improvement.
The Panthers’ recent performance suggests a team gaining momentum as they aim to build on this success in the coming matches. “There will be somebody in the playoffs that doesn’t want to play us if we keep moving forward like this,” Schafer concluded, highlighting the potential for his team as the season progresses.
Creston’s victory was a clear statement of their capabilities, and the upcoming match against Earlham will be crucial for maintaining this positive trajectory.
