Looking at the halftime score and not knowing the sport played, it was tempting to think Creston and Harlan were playing football in January rather than basketball.
At the break, Creston was on top 21-12. Not a typical basketball score at halftime either, which turned into a 41-32 win for Creston.
“I knew ahead of time it was going to be rock fight. They like that style,” said Creston coach Bryce Schafer. “Last two or three games, that’s their norm. They like games in the 40s.”
Schafer said the intentional low scoring strategy for Harlan is something the Panthers are not used to, but knew defense would have to be dominant to get the win.
The first points of the game were not scored until the 4:12 mark in the quarter; nearly halfway done. Creston’s Jake Hoyt made a couple of free throws. Harlan would score soon after, but first-quarter Cyclone points were few. With 1:10 left in the quarter, Harlan’s Ben Leinen scored the team’s second basket of the quarter. And that would be it for the first quarter Creston leading 11-4.
“Their zone is packed in and they just like you to try and make shots,” Schafer said.
Creston was able to nearly duplicate its first quarter in the second. Harlan was slightly better, starting the second quarter with a free throw, but wouldn’t see another point until a 3-point shot at two and half minutes into the quarter.
Schafer said he was expecting a physical game the rest of the way and was willing to take the risk of putting Harlan at the free throw line as the team has shown struggles with those points. Harlan ended the game making six of 14 attempts.
“We were not super uncomfortable putting them at the free throw line, as long as it was the right guys,” Schafer said.
Creston was nearly trading points with Harlan in the third quarter. Creston had a 25-12 lead at the 6:58 mark of the third after Gavin Millslagle scored a bucket and Harlan followed with calling a timeout. But Harlan couldn’t get the deficit less than 10 the rest of the quarter.
“There is something to be said,” Schafer said about Harlan and having enough fuel in the proverbial tank. “This was a back-to-back as they had Glenwood last night. I’m sure legs had something to do with it.”
Creston led by as much as 15 in the quarter after Brayden Schoon scored a basket giving Creston a 31-16 lead.
The fourth quarter was the only quarter Harlan scored in double digits. The additional scoring gave Harlan a threat, but only for a certain amount of time. The Cyclones scored the quarter’s first seven points and cut the deficit to 32-27 with 6:34 left in the game. The Panthers’ first points of the fourth were from Parker Varner’s 3-point shot extending the lead to 35-27.
After a free throw with 5:30 left, Harlan trailed 35-28. The Cyclones would not get any closer because of the missed chances to score.
“They missed a lot of easy ones,” Schafer said about the last half of the fourth quarter, wondering if the fatigue was showing. Late baskets by Tony Davidson, Hoyt and Cael Turner gave Creston a 11-point lead.
“This is our whole season,” Schafer said about the volatility of games. “We played in seven games that are decided by two points. Unforunately, earlier in the year we are on the losing end of those. You can either quit or be hardened by it and start producing. Our guys have stepped up to the plate; best defensive performance of the year.”
Harlan finished with 12-43 shooting including 2-14 from the 3-point line. The Cyclones had 34 total rebounds and had 10 turnovers. Team and individual stats for Creston were not available by press time.
Creston improved to 5-8 after the win.
The Panthers may have their own issue with legs this week. The Panthers hosted Clarke Monday and play at 4:30 Wednesday at Lewis Central. Earlham visits Creston 7:30 p.m. Friday. Red Oak comes to town for a 7:30 p.m. game Friday.