MORAN Crest Highs Lancers may have found an elixir over the Christmas break for their early-season struggles: some good, old-fashioned defensive intensity.
Anybody who saw us play the first semester knows we didnt get after it defensively, Lancer head coach Travis Hermreck said. That was our focus over the break. We have the athletic ability. It was just a matter of putting it all together.
For one night at least, the Lancers showed how potent their defense can be.
Crest held host Marmaton Valley in single digits until the waning moments of the third quarter of what became a 54-21 thumping.
The game was the first contest for both teams after the holiday break. The Lancers hope to use Friday as a springboard for more success when they travel to Northeast-Arma on Wednesday. Marmaton Valley, conversely, hopes to find a reset button, and quickly.
We did OK defensively in the first half, Wildcat head coach Jason Bauer said. But I dont really have anything great to say. When you dont have good practices, you know whats coming. And we knew what was coming.
Points were at a premium early. Hayden Hermreck drilled a couple of baskets late in the first quarter as Crest forged a 9-3 advantage.
Crest began to exert its will in the second and third quarters, leading to multiple scoring opportunities up and down the lineup. The Lancers led 23-8 at the break before putting together a 23-5 run to start the third quarter.
Caiden Elliott offered the sole highlight for Marmaton Valley with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to end the period. Problem was, Crest led 46-16 by then.
We had a good few weeks of practice and got ourselves squared away, Coach Hermreck said. It was fun, because we have some kids who like to work, and theyre learning that work is fun. If we can get them to do that all the time, well get better.
Marmaton Valley is a little short-handed, he continued, noting that Wildcat senior Isaac Heskett was unable to play due to illness. Thats always tough mentally to overcome.
Bauer wasnt quite as forgiving.
We had no effort, Bauer said. I told the guys theyll either continue to get beat by 30, or theyll put in a better effort for us to improve.
Crest (9-14-23-854) (FG/3pt): Davis 1-0-0-2, T. Hermreck 1-0-1-2, Nolan 1-0-2-2, H. Hermreck 8/2-6-1-28, Prasko 0-0-1-0, Holloran 3-0-5-6, Beckmon 3/1-2-2-11, Prasko 0-0-1-0. TOTALS: 18/3-9-13-54.
Marmaton Valley (3-5-8-521) (FG/3pt): Elliott 1-1-5-1-10, Griffith 2/1-1-4-8, Dudley 0-1-3-1, Wl. Lowder 0-0-2-0, Scharff 0-0-1-0, Pejovic 1-0-0-2. TOTALS: 4/2-7-11-21.
