For the better part of a quarter, Crest High’s Lancers showed again just how potent they can be on the basketball court.
Two nights after knocking off highly touted Humboldt in the opening round of the War on 54 Tournament, the Lancers were taking it to another Class 3A school, Anderson County, in semifinal action.
But the Lancers could not maintain that momentum after racing to a 17-9 lead after one quarter.
Anderson County returned the favor, outscoring Crest 18-9 in the second period, and then put the game away with a dazzling second half to win, 57-32.
“I don’t know if it was our legs (getting tired), but they made some adjustments,” Crest head coach Dakotah Sporing said. “It probably shouldn’t have been 25 points worth of adjustments like that. They hit some shots and they moved the ball well.”
Ryan Golden led Crest with 16 points.
Meanwhile, Anderson County’s 6-5 junior Noah Porter took control both inside and outside. He scored 28 points, including a pair of 3-pointers.
The defeat put Crest in Friday’s third-place game against Three River League rival Marmaton Valley. Anderson County moved on to take on host Iola in the War on 54 championship game.
Crest travels to Northeast-Arma Tuesday to resume regular season play.
IN GIRLS action, the Lady Lancers fended off a feisty St. Paul bunch, 41-38.
Kayla Hermreck scored 12 points and Karlee Boots 10 for Crest, which was locked in a tight battle, before rallying to take the lead in the fourth period.
St. Paul led 8-7 after one quarter before the Lady Lancers entered halftime on top, 14-12.
The Indians sized the upper hand in the third quarter, pulling ahead 31-24.
But the Lady Lancers took control down the stretch with a 17-7 run.
Crest’s teams are back in action Tuesday at Northeast-Arma to resume the regular season.
