Creston Panthers Dominate Clarke Community in 80-42 Senior Night Victory

The Creston Panthers triumphed decisively over the Clarke Community Indians with an impressive score of 80-42 during their senior night matchup on March 11, 2024. The Panthers quickly established control, racing to a 7-0 lead within the first minute of the game, setting the tone for a dominant performance that included a season-high of 16 three-pointers out of 33 attempts, achieving an accuracy rate of 48.5%.

Creston’s victory marked an important moment for the team, which has shown significant improvement, now standing at 4-12 for the season after a challenging start of 1-11. Coach Bryce Schafer expressed optimism about the team’s newfound confidence. “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,” he stated. The Panthers have now won three of their last four games, heading into their next challenge against Earlham.

The evening also served as a farewell to the senior players, where Cael Barton, CT Stalker, Hector Suazo, Jaxson Jondle, Nathan Carroll, and Ayden Purdum were honored alongside their families. Notably, senior Waymond Foster was unable to attend due to illness.

Creston’s performance was highlighted by a standout showing from Rhett Driskell, who scored a game-high 28 points, setting a personal best. His efficient play was a focal point, as the team capitalized on transition opportunities against Clarke. “We watched Atlantic play Clarke and it just looked like transition was there. We wanted to take advantage of that, and I thought we did a good job of that,” Schafer remarked.

The Panthers surged ahead with a flurry of scoring in the second quarter, where Driskell, along with teammates Tanner Ray, Stalker, and Barton, combined for five three-pointers within the first four minutes, extending the lead to 40-11. The game soon saw the implementation of the state’s 35-point running clock mercy rule after Driskell’s fifth three-pointer pushed the score to 66-30 in the third quarter.

Creston’s bench was liberally utilized, resulting in contributions from a total of ten players, with seven scoring at least one three-pointer. The team’s ability to share the scoring load demonstrates their depth and teamwork, which will be critical as they approach the upcoming match against Earlham, who currently holds a record of 10-8.

Schafer acknowledged the need for continued improvement, particularly on the defensive end, stating, “I’m happy in how well we played on the offensive end tonight, but I also think we gave up too many points to that team.” He also highlighted the potential threats posed by Earlham, specifically noting senior Griffin Messer as a key player.

As the Panthers prepare for their next game, they carry momentum from this commanding victory, indicating that they may be a formidable opponent as the playoffs approach. “There will be somebody in the playoffs that doesn’t want to play us if we keep moving forward like this,” Schafer added, reflecting his confidence in the team’s trajectory.

The final statistics reflected the Panthers’ dominance, with Creston shooting 53.4% from the field, compared to Clarke’s 30.9%. The Panthers also out-rebounded the Indians 29 to 28 and recorded 23 assists, showcasing their effective ball movement and teamwork throughout the game.

This victory not only serves as a celebration of the seniors but also as a promising sign of the progress the Panthers have made this season.