COLONY — The Crest Lady Lancer season came to an end Monday following a 51-26 loss to Norwich (18-4) in the second round of the substate tournament.
The loss brings a significant era for Crest basketball to an end. The Lady Lancers will graduate a majority of their starting lineup this spring. Many were freshmen when Crest coach Steve Zimmerman took the reins in 2020.
“Those seniors have been with me since I started coaching,” Zimmerman said. “I knew Aylee (Beckmon) would step up, and she really did. She just maxed out on her ability. She gave 100% effort for the team.”
With Crest struggling with consistency the entire evening, senior guard Aylee Beckmon seemed to put the team on her shoulders as she scored a team-leading 17 points. She accounted for all but one of Crest’s scores in the first quarter with a trio of field goals. The Lady Lancers trailed 13-7 at halftime. Norwich held Beckmon to a single field goal in the second quarter with senior forward Kinley Edgerton picking up the other, as the Eagles took control from there to lead 27-11 at halftime.
“That was a really good team. They’re solid. They’re big,” Zimmerman said. “I felt the girls were trying their best.”
Beckmon reignited in the third quarter with another trio of field goals. Junior guard Jaycee Schmidt also contributed a 3-pointer, but it was not enough to close the gap. With fouls to give and a significant lead, Norwich played an aggressive fourth quarter while holding Crest to a single field goal from Kinley Edgerton.
“It just didn’t go our way tonight. We missed shots and they were making them,” Zimmerman said.
The Lady Lancers ended their season with an 18-6 record and finished second in the Three Rivers League at 12-2. Beckmon finished the night with 17 points, followed by Schmidt with five and Edgerton with four.
Zimmerman believes the efforts of seniors Beckmon, Edgerton, Kaelin Nilges, Josie Walter and Allison Weatherman will inspire future athletes.
“It was sad, but at the same time you think about what they accomplished,” Zimmerman said. “We made state last year, and not every team makes state. We got a first-round bye this year. That’s pretty good. Those seniors were solid and I’m proud of every one of them. They came in and produced right away. It’s been really great.”
